Rédaction Africa Links 24 with ALM
Published on 2024-04-11 22:38:12
The Moroccan artist and president of the National Foundation of Museums of Morocco (FNM), Mehdi Qotbi, was elevated by French President Emmanuel Macron to the dignity of Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit, one of the highest distinctions of the French Republic, during a ceremony organized on Thursday night at the Elysée Palace.
Addressing the recipient, the French President stated that Mehdi Qotbi is “an exceptional artist” and a “builder of bridges between countries and people.”
“Mr. Qotbi is one of the seekers of art and talent,” the French President also said.
“You never stop creating, exhibiting, teaching visual arts, crossing paths with personalities who inspire you and whom you inspire,” he said to Mr. Qotbi.
Describing the artist as “one of the links between Morocco and France,” Mr. Macron emphasized that Mr. Qotbi is “one of those who daily make alive the singular indestructible fraternal link that unites our two countries.”
“This distinction honors me because it pays tribute, beyond my person, to the wonderful teamwork accomplished by the National Foundation of Museums under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and the great support and interest that our Sovereign has for culture and arts, has achieved great national and international exhibitions and contributes to preserving and making known our rich multicultural heritage in the world,” said Mr. Qotbi in a statement to MAP.
Made Knight of the Legion of Honor by former French President Jacques Chirac in 2000, then Officer of the Legion of Honor by his successor Nicolas Sarkozy, the Moroccan artist was elevated to the dignity of Commander of the Legion of Honor in 2016 by President François Hollande.
This ceremony took place in the presence of French Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné, President of the Arab World Institute (IMA), Jack Lang, and several personalities from the world of diplomacy, culture, and arts.
Read the original article(French) on Aujourdhui.ma
