site.btaApollonia Art Foundation CEO Margarita Dimitrova Awarded Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by French Culture Ministry

Apollonia Art Foundation Executive Director Margarita Dimitrova was awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) by the French Culture Ministry, the Foundation told BTA on Friday.

The ceremony took place in the French Embassy in Sofia as Dimitrova received the honour by the French Ambassador to Bulgaria Joel Meyer. He said that as the main organizer of the Apollonia Festival, Dimitrova is constantly encouraging new ideas and projects to make its cultural celebrations unique and appealing to a growing audience that has room for all generations.

L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is a high state honour of France, established on May 2, 1957. It is awarded for significant contributions to the enrichment of French cultural heritage. Its additional status to the French "Order of Merit" was confirmed in 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle. Its purpose is to recognize significant contributions to the arts, literature or their dissemination. Its origins are attributed to the Order of Saint Michael, established in 1469. Membership is not restricted to French citizens.

Margarita Dimitrova has been working for the Apollonia Arts Festival in Sozopol since its inception in 1984. Since 1991 she has been the Executive Director of the eponymous Foundation and the Artistic Director of the festivals created by the world famous violinist Professor Dimo Dimov.

This year, Apollonia Festival will take place this year for the 40th time from August 28 to September 7.