University Archaeologist and Art Historian, Founder and President of the Center for Natural and Cultural Heritage, Dr. Sophocles Sophocleous, was honored with the rank of Officer (Officier) of the French Order of Arts and Letters (Ordre des Arts et des Lettres) during a ceremony at the French Embassy in Nicosia.
Speaking at the award ceremony, that took place last week, Dr. Sophocleous said that the award encourages him to continue his contribution in the fields of scientific research, letters and arts, as well as in the promotion of the French language and culture not only in Cyprus, but also internationally through his publications, announcements at international conferences and public lectures, a press release by the Center for Natural and Cultural Heritage says.
Dr. Sophocleous was in 2011 honored with the rank of Knight (Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et Lettres, French Republic) in recognition of the valuable and pioneering 30-year work he has carried out since the 1980s in the fields of archaeology, art history and especially cultural heritage, as the first to highlight Cyprus by establishing the Cultural Heritage Center. He was also the main founder of the Association of Cypriot Archaeologists and its first president.
According to the press release, the promotion of Dr. Sophocleous to the rank of Officer was made by decision of the current Minister of Culture of France, Rachida Dati, both for his overall 40-year pioneering work to date and in particular for his innovative research in the field of natural heritage and in particular the relationship and interaction between natural and cultural heritage.
Sophocleous was handed the Order by France's Ambassador to Cyprus, Her Excellency Clélia Chevrier Kolačko.
(Source: CNA)
