Li Yundi awarded gold medal by Polish government

Chinese pianist Li Yundi was awarded the gold Medal for Merit to Culture — Gloria Artis, by the Polish government in Beijing on Thursday, the week marking the 70th anniversary of China-Poland diplomatic relations.

The award is the highest in its category.

"I would like to thank Li Yundi for his inheritance and promotion of Chopin. I hope that he can continue to be a messenger of Sino-Polish music exchange and let more Chinese people understand Polish culture," said Wojciech Zajaczkowski, Polish ambassador to China.

He said that Li Yundi is the first Chinese pianist to win the award.

Instituted in 2005, the Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis (Zasłużony Kulturze — Gloria Artis in Polish), is a Polish departmental decoration in the arts awarded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland.

The award goes to people and organizations for distinguished contributions to, or protection of Polish culture and national heritage.

There are three classes for the medal: gold, silver and bronze. Li was awarded the silver medal in 2010 for his endeavors performing Chopin's music.

"I will continue to devote myself to promoting Chopin in China, and also taking Chinese music to Poland, so that more people in the two countries can understand each other's culture and further develop the music of both sides," he said.

Li has loved Chopin from an early age. He said that Poland, as Chopin's motherland, has had a big influence on him.

He won gold at the Chopin International Piano Competition 20 years ago, which brought him global attention.