UK Cypriot Xenia Habeshis (Senior Public Health Specialist at the City of London Corporation & London Borough of Hackney) was awarded the Freedom of the City of London award for her contribution to tackling the pandemic through her work in the field of Public Health. (19.0.21)
The Freedom of the City of London is a recognition awarded to people who have achieved success, recognition or celebrity in their chosen field.
The medieval term ‘freeman’ meant someone who was not the property of a feudal lord but enjoyed privileges such as the right to earn money and own land. Town dwellers who were protected by the charter of their town or city were often free – hence the term ‘freedom’ of the City.
The ceremony was performed over zoom due to the pandemic. Normally it takes place in The Guildhall in the City.Murray Craig, The Clerk of the Chamberlain’s Court at the City of London. He performed the ceremony which included a virtual handshake and signature
