Ambassador Bogari gets French knighthood

FOREIGN Affairs and Trade deputy secretary Lucy Bogari was knighted by the French government for her services as a Papua New Guinea diplomat.
Ambassador Bogari was awarded a knight in the French National Order of Merit by French ambassador to PNG Allain Waquet on behalf French president Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday in conjunction with the French National Day celebration.
Waquet said awarding Bogari was to celebrate the broadening of horizons that France had established by comprehensive networks with other countries.
“Obviously these networks have facilitated the negotiations of key agreements which had given PNG its place, not only in the region but also on the wider international stage,” Waquet said.
“Bogari also expanded her voice as the president of the Alliance Francaise de Port Moresby.
She has shared the pleasure and excitement to discover French culture with PNG citizens.
“French culture, its language, is also a famous historical heritage encompassing Gothic cathedrals, witty literature, fine food and wines, the charms of its diverse landscapes. It is also the stage for the most diverse world culture,” Waquet said.
“It is a stage which welcomes the most vivid traditions from Africa, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific.
“And in supporting French culture in PNG, Bogari has exposed Papua New Guineans to new traditions, new sounds and new images,” Waquet said.
Bogari, who wore a beautiful tapa-designed dress from her home province of Northern,  spoke in French as she received her award.