On Tuesday, the Ambassador of The Netherlands to Luxembourg, Pétrus (Peter) Kok, was awarded the Medal of the French Renaissance by the Printemps des Poètes-Luxembourg, a few days before his departure to Ireland to take up his new post.

Ambassador Kok was honoured for his cultural and social contribution capable of "bringing cultures together and contributing, in a spirit of sharing, to the rapprochement of people and peoples". Bruno Théret, director of the French Renaissance and Honorary President of his Luxembourg delegation, presented the Ambassador with the gold medal of the French Renaissance, the most prestigious award of this association created more than a century ago by the President of the French Republic, Raymond Poincare, and still under the patronage of the Head of State but also several ministers (Interior, Culture, Education and Foreign Affairs) and presided over until very recently by Mrs. Simone Veil.

"We honour an exceptional man who fully embodies the values ​​of the French Renaissance: Culture, Solidarity, Francophonie" said Bruno Théret. "And to mention beyond the mission of the diplomat and the work accomplished on the side of economic and political affairs during his 5 years present in Luxembourg, the Ambassador's unwavering commitment to culture, social action and humanitarian and sustainable development. Philosophy, Law, European Studies, Utrecht, Bologna, Brussels is "a remarkable journey that foreshadows the brilliant European career of the ambassador". And he will have "advanced the ideas of the Fathers of Europe" with talent, with wisdom just as he will have enriched the relations between his country and Luxembourg. But Peter Kok did not stop at the duties of his office, but with all the empathy he knows he knows how to build bridges between communities and people of different backgrounds and cultures, concerned with humanist values ​​and societal advances".

Bruno Théret mentioned "the introduction on the territory of the roses of the bulbs of the legendary Dutch tulips, sold for the benefit of a charitable work", the proverbial reception that all, ministers, friends, artists, received at the ambassadorial residence, the place which the Ambassador has always accorded to culture and things of the mind. Petrus Kok has supported cultural services, welcomed musicians, actors and poets. He participated year after year in the meetings of the Printemps des Poètes-Luxembourg with his adviser Claire van der Entbraat. "Peter transmits these unspeakable, intangible values ​​which value man in his best," emphasised the President, emphasising the more hidden part of an ambassador, a poet, a songwriter and an art lover. The echo of the talents of photographer deserved to go beyond the walls of the residence."

Photo by Claire van der Entbraat: Ambassador Pétrus Kok with his wife Terry, along with Bruno Théret, Honorary President, and Christophe Déage, President of his Luxembourg delegation of the French Renaissance