Renowned composer and conductor Tan Dun has been awarded the prestigious title of Officier des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to global culture and the arts. The award was conferred on him at a special ceremony on 13 December 2024, at the Musée Guimetin Paris by Dr. Yannick Lintz, President of the museum, in the name of the French Republic, its President, and the Minister of Culture.

This honour marks the culmination of Tan Dun’s extraordinary artistic journey. He had previously been named Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 2019 by the Minister of Culture of France. The Officier des Arts et des Lettres, which Tan Dun received on 13 December, is a higher level of the same award, with only 140 individuals being honoured annually worldwide. Notably, Tan Dun is one of the very few Chinese cultural figures to ever receive this title, making his recognition particularly significant. His commitment to cultural diplomacy and his ability to connect the East and West through music and the arts continue to be celebrated globally.

A Celebration of Cultural Diplomacy and Artistic Innovation

The award ceremony coincided with the opening night of Tan Dun’s highly anticipated concert, Échos des grottes de Mogao. Musiques de la dynastie Tang, a musical journey into the ancient sounds of Dunhuang. This performance, presented by Tan Dun and Dunhuang Ancient Music Consort, marks an unprecedented cultural experience. Never before has the ancient music from the Mogao Caves, dating back to the Tang Dynasty, been revived and reproduced in such a manner. Inspired by the powerful and groundbreaking musical history discovered in the Dunhuang murals from the 4^th-14^th centuries, Tan Dun spent two years locating, visiting, researching, and documenting the lost musical manuscripts of the Library Cave and the over 40 instrument illustrations found on its walls. The instruments illustrated in such paintings tell the story of a neglected part of music history that is little known by the outside world. In helping recreate these sounds, Tan Dun has spent years researching and replicating instruments found on the cave walls including: Nayin Four-String Pipa, Five-String Pipa, Ji Qin, and the Fan Tan Pipa. With his research and unique musical reconstruction, Tan Dun seeks to offer audiences the opportunity to hear the sound of Dunhuang from more than 1,000 years ago.

Speaking about the award’s significance, Dr. Yannick Lintz remarked, ​“Tan Dun’s work epitomises the power of music as a universal language. His passion for blending cultures and his dedication to preserving the ancient musical traditions of China have deeply enriched global culture. He is a true ambassador of the arts.”

Tan Dun, a UNESCO Global Goodwill Ambassador, has long been celebrated for his groundbreaking approach to music, which seamlessly blends classical, multimedia, and traditional Eastern elements. 

In his acceptance of the Officier des Arts et des Lettres, Tan Dun reflected on his dedication to preserving the legacy of ancient musical cultures while forging new creative paths. ​“This honour is not just for me,” he said. ​“It is for all the artists and musicians who dedicate their lives to preserving the beauty and wisdom of our cultural heritage. Music is a bridge that connects us all.”