Imre Kiss Receives High Rank French Award

2010. October 05.

A few months after winning the International Merit of Honour Award of ISPA (International Society for Performing Arts) as the first awardee in the region, General Manager of the Palace of Arts Imre Kiss has been presented with the Knight’s grade of the Order of Arts and Letters of the Republic of France. The award was presented by François Laquièze on behalf of French Minister of Culture and Communication Frédéric Mitterrand.

This award is a way for the Ministry of Culture and Communication of the Republic of France to express their recognition to those who have, by their works, made significant contributions to arts or literature or have contributed to spreading culture in France and elsewhere in the world. The award ceremony took place at the Palace of Arts; the laudation was delivered by Director of the French Institute Budapest, François Laquièz, who also presented Imre Kiss with the Order. The award winner was moved expressing his thank for the honouring award of the other nation, the Republic of France, and underlined that the supportive staff of the Palace of Arts also had a major role in the success of the institution.
During the laudation it was mentioned that, as the General Manager of the Palace of Arts, Imre Kiss has earned imperishable merits in making it possible for the Hungarian audience to meet excellent French musicians: the newest and best concert organ in Europe has been played by Olivier Latry, Philippe Lefebvre, Thierry Escaich and Loïc Maille already, while Michel Bouvard and Christoph Bossert are also soon to have their performances here. László Fassang, who pursued organ studies in Paris, has devoted several recitals to French composers, with his crossover concert featuring Vincent Lê Quang on stage. Invited by the Palace of Arts, Orchestre National de Paris, Orchestre National d’Île de France (featuring organist Vincent Dubois) and Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse have performed at Bartók Béla National Concert Hall already, while Orchestre National de France is also soon to appear at the Palace of Arts. The Palace of Arts has witnessed concerts by Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Maurice El Médioni, Les Hurlements D’Léo, Lo’ Jo and Erik Marchand. Related to the Chopin-bicentenary, the exhibition Chopin in Paris by Cité de la Musique can also be visited here. At a concert next week, it is Jil Aigrot to present the Budapest audience with a reincarnation of Edith Piaf’s voice.  
As the founding director of Budapest Spring Festival, Imre Kiss established a bridge between East and West ahead of his contemporaries, often attracting back Hungarian world stars who had left the country mostly for political reasons, and opening a window for Hungary to freer parts of the world.
In all the positions he later held at the National Philharmony, the Hungarian State Opera and at Vígszínház (Comedy Theatre), Imre Kiss always established the peaceful atmosphere required for creative work, leaving a transparent order behind.
A crown to Imre Kiss’ career has been his current position held at the Palace of Arts. At the artistic complex that has been the first to be built and opened in the region of post-socialist countries as a complex artistic institute and which, through the management of Imre Kiss, has quickly risen to become a frontline artistic institution in Europe.”

05.10.2010