Hungarian President decorates artists, academics with Corvin Chain Award for Merit

President János Áder decorated artists and academics with the Hungarian Corvin Chain Award for Merit on Monday.
The honour was awarded to actor Péter Huszti, orientalist Miklós Maróth, former foreign minister János Martónyi, classical philologist Zsigmond Ritoók, professor Péter Sótonyi, biochemist Sir George Radda and sculptor Miklós Melocco.
The president said at the ceremony in Parliament that the Corvin Chain is as much a “call for continued excellence” as an appreciation of past achievements, a call to pass on knowledge, share wisdom and encourage young talent. He cited the tradition of the first recipients, cultural minister Kúnó Klebelsberg, composer Ernő Dohnányi, writer Ferenc Herczeg and professor Sándor Korányi.
The Corvin Chain Award was originally founded by governor Miklós Horthy in 1930 and was revived by the Orbán government in 2001.
The award was not granted for ten years after the change of government in 2002 but was again revived in 2012. It is granted to recognise exceptional achievements in the fields of education and culture.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, House Speaker László Kövér and other dignitaries also attended the ceremony.
Featured image: MTI
Source: MTI