At a reception in the French Embassy, the Ambassador of France to Serbia, Pierre Cochard, presented the highest French decoration – the national order of the Legion of Honor, in the rank of knight, to Sneška Kvaedvlieg – Mihailović, the general secretary of Europa Nostra.
Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović dedicated her life to promoting and defending common European values and common cultural heritage.
On behalf of President Emmanuel Macron, French Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Pierre Cochard, awarded Secretary General of Europa Nostra Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović to the grade of ‘Chevalier de l’ordre de la Légion d’Honneur’, highest decoration conferred by the French Republic, founded 220-years- ago by Napoleon Bonaparte.
“I receive this Légion d’Honneur with great pride & humility and also with deep sense of responsibility. I owe it to my family, my teachers & so many extraordinary people with whom have had the privilege to work for 30 years promoting the mission of Europa Nostra,” said Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović
“I have deep respect and admiration for President Emmanuel Macron’s vision and determination to strengthen the feeling of belonging to a large European family through more ambitious European policy and action in in favour of our shared cultural heritage.”
“The ideals, values and wonderful cultural heritage of our Europe are today seriously threatened in many places, especially in Ukraine, but also in Serbia. My life’s mission is far from complete. Count on me to continue to defend a Europe of #values & culture,” she said.
The ceremony was attended by a high-level delegation of Europa Nostra from different European countries, led by Denis de Kergorlay, our Honorary President and President of the Cercle de l’Union Interallié, who is himself Chevalier de l’ordre de La Légion d’Honneur.
This event in honour of the Europa Nostra Secretary General was enhanced by an flute performance by Ljubiša Jovanović, Artistic Ambassador of Europa Nostra Serbia.