Director-General pays tribute to artist Paul Ahyi, UNESCO Artist for Peace

Paris, 7 January

• © Carine Frenk/RFI

Irina Bokova, the Director-General of UNESCO, paid tribute to Professor Paul Ahyi, a UNESCO Artist for Peace. Mr Ahyi died on 4 January in Lome (Togo).

“I would like to pay tribute to Paul Ahyi, who promoted the ideals of the Organization,” said Ms Bokova. “Through his numerous artistic activities, he played a decisive role in highlighting our common ideals of diversity, tolerance and intercultural dialogue in Africa and the rest of the world. His death is a great loss for Togo and Africa and also for UNESCO, which had appointed him as one of its advocates for peace and social cohesion.”

Born in 1930, Paul Ahyi strove to increase the world’s knowledge and appreciation of African culture, convinced that cultural diversity was a key to dialogue between peoples. His works, recognized not only on the African continent but throughout the world, were shown in West Africa, New York, the United Nations, Paris, the Republic of Korea, China, Canada, Italy and Japan. In recognition of the contribution he made through his art to UNESCO’s ideals, he was designated a UNESCO Artist for Peace* on 10 September 2009.

Mr Ahyi had received a number of other honours: the Médaille d’Or des Métiers d’Arts in Paris (1961), Officer of the Ordre du Mono in Togo (1970), Commander of the Palmes Académiques Françaises (1985), Officer of the Arts et Lettres de France (1985). He wrote several books including "La réflexion sur l’art et la culture" and "Togo, mon cœur saigne".

• Author(s):Press Release n°2010-01
• Source:UNESCOPRESS
• 07-01-2010