Lecturers of the University of Tartu received a state award of France
On 4 September 2013, T. E. Frédéric Billet, the Ambassador of France, will name Anu Treikelder, lecturer in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at the University of Tartu, and Tanel Lepsoo, Head of the Institute of Germanic, Romance and Slavonic Languages and Literatures, Knight in Order of the Academic Palms at the French residence for the work carried out for promoting French language and culture in Estonia.
“I am very happy about the award. France has supported the development of the field of study of French language and culture in every possible way. The fact that the award will be given to two lecturers of the University of Tartu is a sign that they are satisfied with the developments in this field of study,” says Treikelder, one of the two to receive the award. “What could be nicer than being praised for the opportunity to spend daily time in a pleasant company,” adds Tanel Lepsoo. “As awards are generally not earned alone but to a large extent thanks to those who help you with advice or give you a helping hand in all kinds of possible activities, then recognition of me and Anu Treikelder should be primarily seen as attention paid to the Department of French Language and Literature of the University of Tartu.”
Anu Treikelder and Tanel Lepsoo teach French philologists at the University of Tartu. Their research is related to French language and culture. As a programme manager of the study programmes of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, Treikelder is active in organizational side of French language and literature at the University of Tartu, and she has also been related to preparing French state exams for more than 10 years.
The honorary title “Academic Palms” was created with the decree of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1808. This is the oldest award of France that is given to civilians.
In its today’s meaning, the order was created in 1955, and the Minister of Education of France awards the teachers, lecturers and head of schools in France. This is also given to the citizens of foreign states who have contributed to promoting French culture, language and intellectual heritage in the world.
Eike Eller, Head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Estonian Ministry of Culture, was also awarded the same prize besides the lecturers of the University of Tartu.
As to the lecturers of the Department of French Language and Literature at the University of Tartu, Tiiu Vilimaa was also awarded the Order of the Academic Palms in 1997.
Further information: Anu Treikelder, lecturer in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at the University of Tartu, phone: 737 6245, e-mail: anu.treikelder [ät] ut.ee;
Tanel Lepsoo, Head of the Institute of Germanic, Romance and Slavonic Languages and Literatures at the University of Tartu, phone: 737 6246, 506 9641, e-mail: tanel.lepsoo [ät] ut.ee.