In a ceremony held on March 8, 2011 at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, Queen Sofia of Spain was awarded the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award 2011 by the Chairman of the Montblanc Foundation, pianist Lang Lang, and the CEO of Montblanc International, Lutz Bethge.
Lutz Bethge highlighted the Queen's commitment to the weakest members of society and praised her efforts to grant them access to education and allow them to participate in cultural life, thus improving their future prospects. In addition to the award, Queen Sofia received a check for €15,000, which she donated to the Queen Sofia Foundation, a charitable and cultural foundation established in 1977.
Other winners of this year's Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award include Britain's Prince of Wales.
(Thank you to Janelle at Mission US for sending a press release and photos!) Photo copyright © Europa Press. Photo provided by Mission.
