Herman van Rompuy receives Comenius Prize

On the picture Herman van Rompuy.

Herman van Rompuy receives Comenius Prize in presence of V4 Ambassadors

April 6, 2016 10:38 AM

On Saturday 2 April, the V4 countries – Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland – commemorated the birthday of the Czech philospher Jan Amos Comenius (1592-1670) in Naarden.

Together with representatives of the municipality of Gooise Meren, the Ambassadors of Visegrad countries laid a wreath at the statue before the Great Church (Grote Kerk). Comenius, who is buried in Naarden, lived on the territory of all V4 countries and marks a cultural heritage the four countries share.

The memory of Comenius was further honoured in the Great Church, where musicians from the V4 countries played music pieces from Comenius’ time. Hungary was represented by the Revesz Trio. The young Etiene Revesz jr. (violin) Margit-Marees Revesz (cello) and Esther Revesz (piano) played the piece ‘Lakoldalmas’ by Leo Weiner.

The Comenius Prize 2016 was awarded to Herman Achille, Count Van Rompuy. The former President of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Belgium received the award from Ms Albertine van Vliet-Kuiper, Mayor of Gooise Meren.

The Comenius Prize has been awarded since 2011, to pay a tribute to a person or organization dedicated to training, education, science and culture in a society that is becoming increasingly international. Geert Mak (2015), Louise Fresco (2014), Paul Schnabel (2013) and Robbert Dijkgraaf (2012) previously received the Comenius Prize.

Jury Chairman Mr Gottfried Leibbrandt praised Van Rompuy for his conviction that the world’s problems can only be solved with a global approach and a key role for Europe. “In your work and life, you consistently emphasized values and respect. This saturates your vision on Europe, a continent of values, wherein, in your opinion, common values supersede our important economic interests.” 

The ceremony in the Great Church was concluded with a reception, where the 600 guests were served wine and traditional pastries from the four Central European Countries.

Photos by Embassy of Hungary, Lindblom Public Relations and Lidia Lewczuk