China News Agency, Kunming, March 9 (Reporter Miao Chao) The French Embassy in Beijing held a medal presentation ceremony on the 9th. Chinese cartoonist Li Kunwu was awarded the "French Literary and Art Knight Medal".
Li Kunwu was born in Kunming, Yunnan in 1955. He is the director of Yunnan Artists Association and the executive director of China News and Comics Research Association.
Li Kunwu's works have been officially published in 16 languages in China, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea and other countries. He has won many honors such as the "Most Popular Award for Readers" and the "Gold Award at the International Comics Festival of History Meets" in Blois, France.
"Mr. Li Kunwu has a unique artistic style and is a well-known cartoonist in China. He has made positive contributions to the cultural exchanges between France and China. France and China have maintained cultural and artistic exchanges for a long time." French Ambassador to China Laurent Bili said .
Li Kunwu was awarded the honor of "French Literary and Art Knight Medal" this time, which is not only an affirmation of Li Kunwu's artistic achievements, but also the best testimony of the friendship between France and China.
The "French Knights of Letters and Arts" was established by the French Ministry of Culture and Communications in 1957 to recognize French and illegal people who have enjoyed a high reputation in the field of art or literature, or made special achievements and outstanding contributions to the promotion of French and world culture. It is the highest honor awarded by the French government to the literary and artistic circles.
Including Mo Yan, Zhang Yimou, Lang Lang, Jackie Chan and many other well-known figures in the Chinese literature and art circles have won this medal.
"As a Chinese artist, I feel honored and proud. The beautiful hometown of Yunnan has given me too many creative sources." Li Kunwu said in an interview.
For a long time, each of Li Kunwu's works has been a summary and refinement of Yunnan's cultural features, natural scenery and ethnic customs, and concentrated on displaying Yunnan's history, culture, regional characteristics, geographical climate and folk customs. .
(over)