FRANCE: French President presents the prestigious Légion d'Honneur to Avner Shalev, Chairman of the Holocaust institute in Jerusalem

Record ID: 708317

  • Title: FRANCE: French President presents the prestigious Légion d'Honneur to Avner Shalev, Chairman of the Holocaust institute in Jerusalem
  • Date: 26th October 2007
  • Summary: (BN12) PARIS, FRANCE (OCTOBER 25, 2007) (REUTERS) GATHERING OF PEOPLE INSIDE THE ELYSEE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE NICOLAS SARKOZY, FRENCH PRESIDENT STANDING AT THE PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (French) NICOLAS SARKOZY, FRENCH PRESIDENT, SAYING: "You have returned to millions of men, women and children who were tortured, precisely what was taken away from them - their humanity. Words are not enough, this morning, to express my emotions and my honour as the President of the French Republic, to present you, this high distinction." SARKOZY STEPPING AWAY FROM PODIUM TO AVNER SHALEV, RECIPIENT OF THE LEGION D'HONNEUR SARKOZY PRESENTING THE LEGION D'HONNEUR TO AVNER SHALEV AS CROWD APPLAUDS SARKOZY AND AVNER SHALEV EMBRACING SARKOZY AND AVNER SHALEV APPLAUDING SARKOZY AND AVNER SHALEV SHAKING HANDS FOR THE CAMERAS
  • Embargoed: 10th November 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA70W6P0Q3GOYA0VFSG8H0OCX5C
  • Story Text: French President presents the prestigious Légion d'Honneur to Avner Shalev, Chairman of the Holocaust institute in Jerusalem.
    French President Nicolas Sarkozy has conferred the prestigious Légion d'honneur on the chairman of the Holocaust institute in Jerusalem.
    Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev was presented with France's highest order for his contribution and work on behalf of Holocaust remembrance worldwide.
    The Legion d'honneur was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802.
    Shalev assumed responsibility as Yad Vashem Chairman in 1993 and has since worked to redefine Holocaust remembrance and education.
    A visibly moved Nicolas Sarkozy said words were not enough to express the honour he felt in presenting Shalev with this decoration.
    "You have returned to millions of men, women and children who were tortured, precisely what was taken away from them - their humanity. Words are not enough," said Sarkozy.
    Shalev developed an ambitious redevelopment plan for Yad Vashem, and his initiatives have included the opening of an International School for Holocaust Studies and the expansion of Yad Vashem's archives and research facilities.
    Shalev said he was 'humbled' by the honour, adding that it only motivates him to continue to promote the work and values of Yad Vashem.
    Shalev is presently also the curator of the new Holocaust History Museum in Jerusalem which opened in 2005.
    Yad Vashem, an organisation committed to Holocaust remembrance and education, is also being awarded the prestigious international Prince of Asturias Award for Concord in a separate ceremony to be held in Olviedo, Spain on Friday (October 26).
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register