Swiss dentist Julien Grivel receives honorary Greek citizenship for decades of volunteer work

Swiss dentist Julien Grivel has been awarded honorary Greek citizenship successful designation of his decades of volunteer work treating patients successful Greece, according to a statesmanlike decree published successful the Government Gazette connected March 17.

Grivel, 83, provided specialized dental attraction to patients with Hansen’s disease, besides known arsenic leprosy, astatine Athens’ “Agia Varvara” Hospital of Infectious Diseases. From 1972, helium traveled to Greece twice a year for 26 years, treating patients pro bono.

He has antecedently been honored by the Academy of Athens, the Greek Parliament, respective municipalities including Agia Varvara, and organizations successful some Greece and Switzerland.

Grivel’s humanitarian work was besides featured successful the documentary “Sculpted Souls,” directed by Greek filmmaker Stavros Psillakis. The movie was screened past year astatine the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival, where it won the FIPRESCI prize for Best Greek Film.