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Swiss dentist receives honorary Greek citizenship for humanitarian work
🇬🇷 Greece /Disasters & Emergencies

Swiss dentist receives honorary Greek citizenship for humanitarian work

From Kathimerini · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Swiss dentist Julien Grivelet was awarded honorary Greek citizenship for his decades of volunteer work with leprosy patients in Greece.
  • Grivelet began his mission in 1972, inspired by a patient at the Agios Varvas infectious diseases hospital.
  • He described his experience in Greece as an "internal dive" that taught him about acceptance, respect, and love.

In a deeply moving ceremony, Julien Grivelet, a Swiss dentist, was bestowed with honorary Greek citizenship, a testament to his lifelong dedication to the marginalized and suffering. For decades, Grivelet has selflessly offered his dental expertise to patients at the Agios Varvas infectious diseases hospital, many of whom were former residents of Spinalonga, the infamous leper colony.

From one side, despair and from the other, relief. He lost his sight, but this man did not let the darkness conquer his thoughts.

— Julien GriveletRecounting an encounter with a leprosy patient.

His journey began in 1972, not out of obligation, but from a profound inner calling. He recalls a pivotal encounter with a man afflicted by leprosy, who, despite facing immense physical and emotional despair, found solace in the scent of lavender. This encounter profoundly impacted Grivelet, teaching him the power of finding light amidst darkness and the importance of shedding life's trivialities.

I don't expect it, but it's the best gift. It is an unspeakable honor for me. For so many years, this mission was silent.

— Julien GriveletExpressing his feelings upon receiving honorary Greek citizenship.

This mission became more than just a humanitarian endeavor; it was a personal odyssey for Grivelet. Through his work, he connected with the soul of Greece, falling in love with its people and its rich cultural heritage. The honorary citizenship, he expressed, is an "unspeakable honor" and the "best gift," a silent acknowledgment of years of quiet service.

This journey taught me that when prejudice and fear disappear, the meeting between two different worlds is possible thanks to acceptance, respect, and love.

— Julien GriveletReflecting on the lessons learned from his experiences in Greece.

Reflecting on his time in Greece, Grivelet described it as an "internal dive." He emphasized that when prejudice and fear dissipate, the meeting of different worlds becomes possible through acceptance, respect, and love. His story, deeply rooted in compassion and a genuine connection with the Greek people, resonates far beyond the borders of Switzerland, embodying a spirit of humanity that transcends nationality.

I dared, I listened to my inner lyre. Impulse. And I was right.

— Julien GriveletDescribing his decision to pursue his humanitarian mission in Greece.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathimerini in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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