The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Literature) is an Order of France, established on May 2, 1957 by the Minister of Culture, and confirmed as part of l'Ordre National du Mérite by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963. Its purpose is the recognition of significant contributions to the arts, literature, or the propagation of these fields. Image File history File links L'OrdreDesArtsCommandeur. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Minister of Culture and Communications is, in the Government of France, the cabinet member in charge of national museums and monuments; promoting and protecting the arts (visual, plastic, theatrical, musical, dance, architectural, literary, televisual and cinematographic) in France and abroad; and managing the national archives and regional maisons de... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... The Médaille des Évadés (literally, medal of those who escaped) is a medal given by the government of France, to individuals who were prisoners of war and who escaped. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... An Order is a decoration, awarded by a government to an individual, usually for distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. ... May 2 is the 122nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (123rd in leap years). ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... The Minister of Culture and Communications is, in the Government of France, the cabinet member in charge of national museums and monuments; promoting and protecting the arts (visual, plastic, theatrical, musical, dance, architectural, literary, televisual and cinematographic) in France and abroad; and managing the national archives and regional maisons de... The Ordre National du Mérite (in English: The National Order of Merit) is an Order of Chivalry awarded by the President of France. ... The President of France, known officially as the President of the Republic (Président de la République in French), is Frances elected Head of State. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

According to French government guidelines citizens of France must be at least thirty years old, respect French civil law, and must have, “significantly contributed to the enrichment of the French cultural inheritance.”

Members are not, however, limited to French nationals. Recipients have included numerous foreign luminaries.

Foreign recipients are admitted into the Order, “without condition of age.”

The Order has three grades:

• Commandeur (commander) - medallion worn on necklet; up to twenty recipients a year.
• Officier (officer) - medallion worn on ribbon with rosette on left breast; up to sixty recipients a year.
• Chevalier (knight) - medallion worn on ribbon on left breast; up to 200 recipients a year.

The médaille of the Order is an eight-point, green-enameled asterisk, in gilt for commanders and officers, in silver for knights; the obverse central disc has the letters “A” and “L” on a white enamelled background, surrounded by a golden ring emblazoned with the phrase “République Française.” The reverse central disc features the head of Marianne on a golden background, surrounded by a golden ring bearing the words “Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.” The commander's badge is topped by a gilt twisted ring. Rosettes are small, circular devices that are presented with a medal. ... A gilt is any of the following: A thin covering of gold. ... Marianne busts with features of Brigitte Bardot - Catherine Deneuve - Mireille Mathieu Marianne, a national emblem of France, is a personification of Liberty and Reason. ...

The ribbon of the Order is green with four white stripes.

Notable foreign recipients

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References

For the Alaska-based postminimalist composer, see John Luther Adams. ... Barry Jean Ancelet is a Cajun folklorist and expert in Cajun music and Cajun French. ... June Anderson (born December 30, 1952) is an American coloratura soprano. ... Constantine Andreou (Constantine Andréou, Κωνσταντίνος Ανδρέου), (b. ...

External links

• Ministère de la culture France
• constitution of the order