ADV GEORGE BIZOS
 
 
The City of Athens honours George Bizos


On 24 September 2010, Advocate George Bizos was presented with “The City of Athens” Medal of Honour and Benefaction for his contribution to the establishment of human rights in South Africa, by the Mayor of Athens , Nikitas Kaklamanis .
The ceremony was held at the Athens City Hall.

The Deputy Prime Minister Theodoros Pangalos described Advocate Bizos as a humble man whose activities should nevertheless not be forget ten simply because he operates at the tip of Africa. The Greek ambassador in London, Aristidis Sandis, who has known George Bizos since his term of office in South Africa, spoke of Advocate Bizos as a valuable supporter , a legend, respected and loved by everyone who with his struggles , lit the path of freedom, knowledge and justice. The Mayor of Athens described him as a "soldier of freedom" and a model of humanity . In accepting the Medal, Advocate Bizos thanked the Mayor for the honour , saying it was his duty to represent those who have been wronged and the underprivileged.

Advocate Bizos was in Athens for the launch of the Greek translation of Odyssey to Freedom 1928 – 1964, the first volume of his biography.

 

Documentary film about George Bizos

A documentary film entitled Here be Dragons about the life and work of Advocate George Bizos was screened as part of the Tri Continental Film Festival at Cinema Nouveau theatres in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Durban during October 2010.

This annual festival is dedicated to issues of social, political and human rights in Africa, Asia, Central and South America and the Middle East.

Directed by Odette Geldenhuys, the film documents the emotional, personal and political journey of one of South Africa’s greatest jurists. It was described by Business Day as “of significant interest”. The Sunday Independent said “This is everything a documentary portrait should be: personal, honest and intimate. An absolute must-see.”