On behalf of the Minister of Culture of the French Republic, the Ambassador of France to Slovenia, Florence Ferrari, awarded the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters to Robert Waltl, Director of the Mini teater and the Jewish Cultural Centre in Ljubljana.
Robert Waltl received the decoration for his work in the Slovenian artistic sphere, which has contributed to strengthening relations between Slovenia and France, for opening up the Mini teater's repertoire to French productions, and for promoting mutual respect and the fight against any form of discrimination, in particular as the initiator of the House of Tolerance festival, said Charles Nodier, Director of the French Institute in Slovenia.
"For many years, he has been working tirelessly to promote theatre - especially French theatre - in Slovenia, both as an actor and as a director and head of the Mini teater. In addition, he has invested immeasurable efforts in the establishment and development of the Jewish Cultural Centre, an extremely important cultural institution in Ljubljana, which he directs," reads the statement of justification.
As a result of his work, the awarding authority said, the centre preserves Jewish cultural life as well as the memory of suffering, including that caused by the Holocaust, while at the same time appealing for respect for others and for peaceful coexistence.
"In the field of theatre, he has created a strong network of links with France through its good relations with many French authors and institutions, and through his often bold and courageous artistic choices. He has appeared in several productions that have covered the whole spectrum of French creativity, from the Classical period to the present day, and every year the Mini teater's repertoire opens up even more to French productions. Last but not least, as a great Francophone and Francophile individual, he has been an irreplaceable factor in Franco-Slovenian relations for many years," he continued.
The French Ministerial Order of Arts and Letters was created on 2 May 1957. The Minister of Culture is responsible for the Order and decides on appointments independently, after taking the opinion of the Council of the Order of Arts and Letters.
The conditions for the award of the decoration, laid down by decree, state that 'the Order is intended to reward people who have distinguished themselves by their artistic or literary work or by their contribution to the impact of art and literature in France and throughout the world'.
