In the presence of 450 invited guests fromGermany, France, Italy, and the United States, the 1991 EcologicalEagle award from the International Committee "Artists For Ecology"was presented to the German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscherearlier this month.
The Committee is a non-profit organization, inwhich artists of various artistic orientations from all thecontinents cooperate. They give impulses and develop activities whichserve the protection of the earth, water, and air.
In his opening address, John Zavrel of Clarence,the newly elected president of the International Committee, read aspecial message of congratulations from President Ronald Reagan."Congratulations to the prestigious award of the ECOLOGICAL EAGLEfrom the International Committee Artists For Ecology. This provesthat Germany is once again one of the leading countries in the worldwhich gives the ecological questions of our time a high importance.The larger, united Germany will have more responsibility in thisfield in the decades to come," said Mr. Reagan in hisletter.
The Ecological Eagle, in the form of a bronzesculpture from the hands of the German sculptor Kurt Arentz, donatedby the Order of Alexander the Great, is an idealistic award, which isnot only awarded to the recipient in recognition of his past efforts,but it also obliges him to bring ecological problems to the attentionof the public. The eagle -- a symbol for sharp mind, sharp eyes andprudence, is among the endangered species worldwide. The bronzeeagle, masterfully formed by Arentz, is both a reminder and acommitment.
With the award of the Ecological Eagle 1991,Genscher joins the previous recipients Ronald Reagan, NATO SecretaryGeneral Manfred Woerner, U.S. Ambassador Richard Burt, and the GermanAgriculture Minister Kiechle. This year's award ceremony, which wasorganized by Art Circle NRW, took place in the Museum of European Artat the Nörvenich Castle near Cologne, Germany.
In his capacity as a member of the Board ofDirectors of the World Wildlife Fund, the wildlife photographer andfilm producer Heinz Sielmann presented a passionate appeal to all mento realize their responsibility for the preservation of nature. The74-year old preservationist named the population explosion,civilization, and inconsiderate tourism as the main culpritsconnected to all disruptions of nature.
The decision to award the 1991 Ecological Eagle tothe German Foreign Minister was unanimous. The former prima ballerinaof the Munich State Opera, singer and entertainer Margot Werner, whohanded over the eagle to the minister, praised his untiring effortsby quoting his personal credo "Foreign politics are ecologicalpolitics."