Move over, Tom Hanks, there’s a new honorary Greek in town. Victoria Hislop, the British author of international bestselling novels like “The Island” and “Those Who Are Loved,” is the latest high profile celebrity to be granted honorary Greek citizenship under a special clause in the country’s constitution.
Last year, Greece granted the same “honorary citizenship status” to Hollywood couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.
Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou signed Hislop’s order, which makes the 61-year-old novelist an official citizen of the Hellenic Republic.
The decree was published in the Greek government gazette.
Under Greek law, honorary naturalization may be granted to people who “have provided exceptional services to the country or whose naturalization serves the public interest.”
Hislop vacations in Crete and frequently writes about Greece in her novels, short stories and for various publications. The U.K. native received Greek citizenship for promoting modern Greek history and culture, including the history of the tiny island of Spinalonga — off the coast of Crete — the last leper colony in Europe.
Spinalonga served as the setting for her 2005 historical novel “The Island.”
Must Read by Victoria Hislop
Is The Pappas Post worth $5 a month for all of the content you read? On any given month, we publish dozens of articles that educate, inform, entertain, inspire and enrich thousands who read The Pappas Post. I’m asking those who frequent the site to chip in and help keep the quality of our content high — and free. Click here and start your monthly or annual support today. If you choose to pay (a) $5/month or more or (b) $50/year or more then you will be able to browse our site completely ad-free!
Click here if you would like to subscribe to The Pappas Post Weekly News Update