Mohammadreza Shajarian, the prominent Iranian vocalist and musician, has been recognized by France’s art community with the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres medal.
IRNA reports that Majid Sarhangi announced that Iranian master vocalist Shajarian will receive the award for his “service to art and Iranian classical music.”
The report adds that Shajarian will be awarded the prize next week.
Shajarian is the second Iranian vocalist to receive the award. Sharam Nazeri, another Iranian classical music singer, was previously named to the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres order.
France has honoured a number of Iranian artists, scholars and activists such as Reza Deghati (photographer), Shirin Ebadi (lawyer), Abbas Kiarostami (filmmaker) and Pari Saberi (theatre director) with France's highest decoration the Order of Légion d'Honneur.