Photo Flash: George “Best” Costacos Awarded Posthumously In Austria

The Austrian Albert Schweitzer Society honored the late George "Best" Costacos with the Gold Medal of Humanitarian Merit presented posthumously and accepted by the late actor/singer's brother and President of the George "Best" Costacos Foundation in Greece, Nikos Kostakos. This significant recognition was awarded posthumously only one other time to the great Hellenic writer Nikos Katzantzakis. This was the first time this award was presented to an Actors Equity member.

In addition, the writer and television host, Ms. Mari Kyriakou from Greece was also presented with the Gold Medal of Humanitarian Merit. Ms.Kyriakou has provided significant and invaluable support and international exposure to countless foundations and philanthropic organizations through her television program "With Love."

The Gold Medal of Humanitarian Merit was also awarded by the Austrian Albert Schweitzer Society to two distinguished and internationally recognized artists of Hellenic descent, Mr. Ioannis Vlazakis an artist specializing in heraldic art, and Mr. Nikos Floros, whose unique sculptural costumes have received worldwide recognition and acclaim.

The president of the Austrian Albert Schweitzer Society, Mr. Georg Steiner and the president of the Greek branch of the Society, Baron Toni Breidel Hatzidimitriou presented the medals to these distinguished awardees.
The George "Best" Costacos Cultural and Cancer Research Foundation, with activities in both New York and Greece, also presented a series of awards. The president of the Austrian Albert Schweitzer Society, Mr. Georg Steiner accepted the award for recognition of the organization's significant and longstanding humanitarian contributions.
For his significant contributions to the Hellenic community of Austria, the George "Best" Costacos Foundation also presented a special award posthumously to the late Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Vienna, Hungary and Eastern Europe, His Eminence Michael Staiko who passed away just a few days prior to the awards ceremony. The award was accepted on behalf of his family by Ms. Maria Lemoni.
Awards were also presented to the Deputy Mayor of Vienna, Honorable Ms. Maria Vasilakou as well as to Dr. George Siakos, former President of the Macedonian Organization of Vienna for his multiyear contributions to Austrian-Hellenic friendship.

The President of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Austria, Mr. Kostas Fisoglou, also addressed the gathering.

Attending the event was the descendent of the Habsburg Empire, Prince Sandor von Habsburg-Lothringen and his wife Duchess Herta Magarete Offerl. They presented the award to the artist Ioannis P. Vlazakis for his art work based on the royal coat of arms of the Habsburgs.

The mistress of ceremonies of the evening was Ms. Alexandra Karakopoulou.
The evening also included a performance by the distinguished and well-known conductor Mr. Anastasion Strikos who interpreted works by Bach and Konstantinidi on the piano while opera singer Mr. Nikolas Spanos and the violinist Dimitris Karakantas also performed.

The goal of this event was to recognize individuals and organizations who, through their work and actions, provide hope for a better tomorrow as well as bringing together two organizations, one from Greece and one from Austria in their humanitarian efforts.

George Costacos was born in Athens, Greece in 1964 and besides being an exceptional student, became an accomplished athlete, winning awards for gymnastics in the BALKAN GAMES. He also exhibited artistic talent in many areas at a very young age. An fellowship gave him the opportunity to study in New York. His passion for jusic and the teather led him to receive countless kudos for diverse and prolific creativity as an actor and a writer, "carving the steady and significant course of a dynamic artists who has bewitched with his multifaceted talent, knows how to magnetize the lens of current events and puts his signature on every aspect of his work" - to quote a few of the glowing reviews in the abundant international press. With his passionate sense of drama and "boundless energy.". George Costacos was dubbed by theatrical leaders and press alike as "an unencumbered spirit with a mission." "An artistic chameleon," "A particularly distinguished actor," "A genuine child of the theater" with "a noteworthy career of quality work and talent that is necessary, if not indispensable." Esquire Magazine called George Costacos "The most important Greek of Broadway." Additional highlights of George Costacos' career include an appearance at the Metropolitan Room on July 21st 2008. Performances with Steve Ross in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium, the 45th Street Theater, the National Arts Club, and Lincoln Center's Bruno Walter Auditorium in the Library for the Performing Arts (the last two also with Julie Wilson). George's critically acclaimed musical GREEK GIFTS premiered and was recorded with musical director by Seth Weinstein. It has been performed in benefit concert sponsored by the New York Foundation and a version with Choir at DiCapa Theatre under musical direction by Broadway Maestro and Music Director of the Queens Symphony Orchestra Constantine Kitsopoulos - who previously directed George in Axion Esti at Merkin Concert Hall, other appearances include City Center, Alexander Hamilton Auditorium, Hudson River Museum, Barnes and Noble, Sardi's Don't Tell Mama, Eighty Eight's the Greek Cultural Center (sponsored by the New York State Council for the Arts) and landmark theatres all along the East Coast."

George Costacos died at the age of 44 in Hanover, Germany of complications from a malignant brain tumor.