The Russian Academy Of Arts

On May 11, 2010 in Tsereteli Art Gallery, 19 Prechistenka street, the Ambassador of the French Republic to the Russian Federation Jean de Gliniasty presented the President of the Russian Academy of Arts Zurab Tsereteli with the National Order of the Legion of Honor. The award ceremony was attended by representatives of the French Embassy in Moscow, scientific and creative elite of Russia, members of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Arts and admirers of Zurab Tsereteli’s talent.

Presenting the Order, the French Ambassador said: “Zurab Tsereteli is a world renowned artist and a true friend of France, whose works are evidence of the master’s boundless creative energy. Who does not know you, dear Zurab? You are celebrated in Georgia, in Moscow and in many other cities worldwide, you are well-known in France”. Mr. Gliniasty told the attendees about the major stages of Zurab Tsereteli’s creative activity, his first monumental works in the 1960s, his involvement as a designer in 1980 Summer Olympic Games, in the recreation of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. “Generosity is a definition of your life, the generosity of feelings, which you share not only as an artist, but also as a teacher and a public figure. In your works one can sense your ardent desire to convey significant human values through art” – noted the Ambassador. He also reminded of Tsereteli’s monuments installed in France: to Honore de Balzac in Agde and to Pope Joan Paul II in Ploermel; as well as of his monument to General Charles de Gaulle in Moscow.

“This Order is being presented to you as a high recognition of your creative work and for your friendly attitude to France”- said Mr. Gliniasty.

For his part, Zurab Tsereteli stressed, that the Order had been awarded by the President of France from his personal reserves of crosses. The French President Nickolas Sarcozy noted in his letter addressed to Zurab Tsereteli: “This decoration is an expression of gratitude for your services to this country and devotion to France”. “I have got used to contradictory opinions of my work, and you have so highly appreciated me, that I do not know what to say. I love France very much, I adore France and this Order is a surprise for me” – said Tsereteli. In response the sculptor promised, that his recent sculptural composition depicting four Musketeers would be installed in France this year as soon as possible.

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