The French Embassy in Neauphle-le- Chateau Street in downtown Tehran on Jan. 12, 2016 played host to a ceremony awarding highest of the French government decoration, the Chevalier(Knight) to renowned Iranian Painter and art scholar Aydin Aghdashloo.
French Ambassador to Tehran, Mr. Bruno Foucher placed the National Order of Merit of French Ministry of Culture over the chest of Mr. Aghdashloo. The ceremony was quite modest and attendants were very few. When the 75 years old Aghdashloo was contacted to be informed about awarding of the decoration, he said he prefers the ceremony to be a private and small event and the world famous Iranian painter as usual didn’t want to show off and himself didn’t invite anybody to this ceremony.
Only 10 people including Dariush Shayegan came together at French Embassy. The French Ambassador spoke to the audience about the important position held by Aghdashloo in French culture and importance of his works and placed the Knight Decoration on Mr. Aghdashloo’s chest.
Aghdashloo thanked Mr. Foucher and said he is glad to see that his works have become known outside his home country.
Talking to Iranian Daily Shargh, Mr. Aghdashloo said the Knight Decoration is the highest National Order of Merit award by French government and he is pleased that his works have been appreciated beyond Iranian border and the outside world. He said he has been influenced by French arts and culture like any other painter of the 20th century.
After Aghdashloo’s speech, Shayegan spoke in French of Aghdashloo and his works.
Aghdashloo is very humble artist to an extent that he considers individual exhibition of his works as self flattering and show off and that’s why he asked the French Embassy officials to avoid a large ceremony on his honor.
