Singapore's Ivan Heng and Pooja Nansi conferred knighthood for promoting French arts and culture
Theatre director Ivan Heng and writer Pooja Nansi were made Knights of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Ministry of Culture to celebrate their "significant impact on cultural cooperation" between Singapore and France.
Theatre practitioner Ivan Heng and poet Pooja Nansi have received recognition by the French Ministry of Culture. (Photos: Ivan Heng, National Arts Council)
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Wild Rice theatre company founder Ivan Heng and poet Pooja Nansi have been recognised for their "outstanding contributions" in promoting French arts and culture in Singapore, said the Embassy of France in Singapore in a press release on Thursday (Jun 27).
The two Singaporeans were appointed Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (or Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres) by the French Ministry of Culture for their "significant impact on cultural cooperation" between Singapore and France.
The Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is the highest merit of the order of France established by its Ministry of Culture. It is conferred to those who have made significant contributions to the arts, literature, or the propagation of these fields. Membership is not limited to French nationals, with numerous foreign luminaries being recipients of the honour.
Ambassador of France to Singapore Minh-di Tang presented Heng and Nansi with the prestigious distinction at the Residence of France on Thursday evening, in the presence of Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong.
Heng, a veteran thespian, was commended by the Embassy of France for playing a "key role" in promoting French theatre in Singapore. Notable productions include La Cage aux Folles (2017) and Tartuffe (2022).
In a career spanning over three decades, he has staged numerous productions in Singapore and has even brought some of them – including the plays Hotel and Emily Of Emerald Hill – overseas.
In March, Heng was named as a recipient of an honorary doctorate from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – widely regarded as one of the best performing arts schools in the world. And back in 2013, he was awarded the Cultural Medallion which is Singapore's highest cultural honour.
Nansi was the former director of the Singapore Writers Festival. During her four-year tenure, she was "instrumental" in the success of the Focus France segment, which featured around 20 French and Francophone authors from 2019 to 2022, said the Embassy of France.
"Her dedication to French literature has significantly strengthened cultural ties between Singapore and France."
Nansi received the Young Artist Award in 2016. The award is Singapore's highest award for young arts practitioners under the age of 35, presented by the Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth and administered by the National Arts Council.
