Nana Mouskouri and Till Brönner receive German Order of Merit

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany to singer Nana Mouskouri and jazz musician Till Brönner. The ceremony, held at the presidential residence on the Spreebogen to mark German Unity Day, honored a total of 21 citizens.

Mouskouri, aged 91, was recognized for her global career and her commitment to reconciliation, peace, and freedom. The award citation highlighted her role as a reconciler, noting that despite experiencing the Nazi occupation of her native Greece as a child, she worked to foster understanding between Greece and Germany. Her contributions also include serving in the European Parliament and acting as a UNICEF ambassador.

Jazz trumpeter Till Brönner was honored for his musical versatility and his advocacy for freelance artists and the preservation of music funding. Other recipients included publicist Navid Kermani, political scientist Herfried Münkler, and Ruprecht Polenz.