Head of the Wallonie-Bruxelles delegation in Viet Nam, Christian Bourgoignie, was awarded the medal "For a Cause of Culture, Sports and Tourism", for strengthening co-operation between Viet Nam and Belgium's French speaking community in the field of culture, sports and tourism. — Photo courtesy of Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism presented the medal "For the Cause of Culture, Sports and Tourism" to Christian Bourgoignie, head of the Wallonie-Bruxelles delegation, on Thursday.

The medal was presented to Bourgoignie for his contribution towards strengthening co-operation between Viet Nam and Belgium's French speaking community in the field of culture, sports and tourism.

Working in Viet Nam from 2012 to mid-July 2015, he worked closely with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to successfully carry out cultural projects as well as activities which aimed to promote co-operation between Viet Nam and Wallonie-Bruxelles (the French speaking community in Belgium) in different sectors of cinema, fine arts, museum, and music, in addition to contemporary dance art, sculpture.

"I am very touched to receive the award. I am happy to have worked with a very devoted and talented team, and had the occasion to contribute towards the promotion of cultural relations between the two countries," said Bourgoignie.

"On leaving Vietnam, I will lose many good friends, but I hope I can meet them again in Belgium," an emotional Bourgoignie said.

During his term, he often invited Vietnamese artistes to perform in Belgium. He has helped artistes from Belgium's French speaking community and Viet Nam to exchange, share experiences and perform together.

Bourgoignie is the fifth head of the Wallonie-Bruxelles delegation in Viet Nam since the opening of the delegation in 2001. — VNS