Singapore, Indian-born writer Pooja Nansi and Chinese-born theater director Ivan Heng were appointed Knights of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Ministry of Culture to celebrate their "significant impact on cultural cooperation" between Singapore and France.
French Ambassador to Singapore Minh-di Tang presented Nansi and Heng with the prestigious distinction at the French Residence on Thursday afternoon in the presence of Singapore's Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, Channel News Asia reported. .
The Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knights of the Order of Arts and Letters) is the highest merit of the order of France established by its Ministry of Culture.
It is conferred on those who have made significant contributions to the arts, literature, or the propagation of these fields. Membership is not limited to French citizens, as numerous foreign luminaries have received this honor.
Nansi and Heng have been appointed Knights of the Order of Arts and Letters, the French Embassy in Singapore said in a press release on Thursday.
Nansi was the former director of the Singapore Writers Festival. During his four years in office, he played a "fundamental" role in the success of the Focus France segment, which featured around twenty French and Francophone authors from 2019 to 2022, he says.
"His dedication to French literature has significantly strengthened cultural ties between Singapore and France," the embassy said.
In 2016, Nansi was awarded the Young Artist Award, Singapore's highest award for young art professionals under the age of 35. It was presented by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and administered by the National Arts Council, according to the Canal report. .
Heng, a veteran actor, was praised by the French Embassy for playing a "key role" in promoting French theater in Singapore. His productions include "La Café aux Folles" (2017) and "Tartufo" (2022).
In a career spanning more than three decades, he has staged numerous productions in Singapore and has even taken some of them – including the plays “Hotel and Emily Of Emerald Hill” – overseas.
In March, Heng received an honorary doctorate from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, widely regarded as one of the best performing arts schools in the world. In 2013, he was awarded the Cultural Medallion, which is Singapore's highest cultural honour.
French Ambassador to Singapore Minh-di Tang presented Nansi and Heng with the prestigious distinction at the French Residence on Thursday afternoon in the presence of Singapore's Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, Channel News Asia reported. .
The Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knights of the Order of Arts and Letters) is the highest merit of the order of France established by its Ministry of Culture.
It is conferred on those who have made significant contributions to the arts, literature, or the propagation of these fields. Membership is not limited to French citizens, as numerous foreign luminaries have received this honor.
Nansi and Heng have been appointed Knights of the Order of Arts and Letters, the French Embassy in Singapore said in a press release on Thursday.
Nansi was the former director of the Singapore Writers Festival. During his four years in office, he played a "fundamental" role in the success of the Focus France segment, which featured around twenty French and Francophone authors from 2019 to 2022, he says.
"His dedication to French literature has significantly strengthened cultural ties between Singapore and France," the embassy said.
In 2016, Nansi was awarded the Young Artist Award, Singapore's highest award for young art professionals under the age of 35. It was presented by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and administered by the National Arts Council, according to the Canal report. .
Heng, a veteran actor, was praised by the French Embassy for playing a "key role" in promoting French theater in Singapore. His productions include "La Café aux Folles" (2017) and "Tartufo" (2022).
In a career spanning more than three decades, he has staged numerous productions in Singapore and has even taken some of them – including the plays “Hotel and Emily Of Emerald Hill” – overseas.
In March, Heng received an honorary doctorate from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, widely regarded as one of the best performing arts schools in the world. In 2013, he was awarded the Cultural Medallion, which is Singapore's highest cultural honour.
