.jpg "Maestro Ali Rahbari conducts an orchestra in an undated photo.")
TEHRAN -- Vienna-based Iranian maestro Ali Rahbari has praised tar virtuoso and composer Hossein Alizadeh over his decision to reject France’s Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.
In a statement which was published by the Persian service of ISNA on Sunday, Rahbari spoke of Alizadeh’s good reputation in the West and said that he has been informed about Alizadeh’s achievements over the past 40 years.
“I hope very much that the great ability the Almighty has bestowed upon you will bring a huge improvement in the condition of Iranian music and musicians,” he stated.
Last week, Rahbari asked Alizadeh to reject the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor after the French Embassy announced that France was planning to honor Alizadeh with the French decoration.
In an open letter published on Saturday, Alizadeh announced his decision to reject the award.
He thanked the French officials and the ambassador over their plan to honor him and wrote, “I derive satisfaction from the good name of Hossein Alizadeh, and I shall never add a suffix or prefix to it until the end of my life.”
“As I congratulate all the great Iranian and world luminaries who have received the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, I deem myself free from the desire for any medal,” he added
Four Iranian personalities have been awarded France’s Chevalier of the Legion of Honors at the French Embassy in Tehran over the past six months.
Rahbari called the frequent commemorations of Iranian luminaries by the French Embassy “an epidemic of Chevalier” and said, “The value that the Iranian people place on Mr. Alizadeh is not comparable with any domestic or foreign medal.”
MMS/YAW
END