Thiago Soares Receives Brazil's Order Of Cultural Merit

On November 28th the Palácio do Planalto in Brasília was filled with music and colours for the ceremony of the Order of Cultural Merit (OCM), the highest public honour in culture. THIAGO SOARES, born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, and a Principal with the Royal Ballet in London since 2006, was honoured in recognition of his contribution to the art of ballet in Brazil.

In a festive atmosphere, the insignias were handed by the President of the Republic Michel Temer, the Minister of Culture Sérgio Sá Leitão, the Chief of Staff Eliseu Padilha and by the First Lady Marcela Temer to a total of 35 personalities and institutions who have contributed to the development of the country.

The theme of this year's OCM was 'Cultura Gera Futuro': Culture Generates the Future. The creative economy in Brazil is increasingly seen as a vital trigger for the country's economic and social development and led to Culture Minister Sá Leitão's administration acting as the central point for all cultural policies, programmes and events held by the Ministry of Culture in 2017 and 2018.

Thiago Soares said: "I feel extremely honoured for being given this title. It's a great moment for me and my fellows from the dance community back home. I never thought I would see dance getting this kind of recognition. Thank you all for the beautiful messages and Brazil for giving your artist this remarkable award."

The Order of Cultural Merit is the highest honour in the field of culture in Brazil. More than 700 individuals and institutions have been honoured since the inaugural award in 1995. Nominees are voted for by the public and go through a rigorous process of approval before being finally approved by the President. There are 3 categories of the Order of Cultural Merit: Grand Cross, Commander, and Knight. For the 2018 edition 6 people were handed the Gran-Cross, 12 were made Commanders and 7 were Knighted, including Thiago Soares. A person may receive the commendation more than once in different category. 10 public and private both national and international institutions were also honoured with the Order this year.