High Spanish honour for Hermann Parzinger
Press release from 05/14/2018
The Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy today awarded Hermann Parzinger the Grand Cross of the Order of Alfonso X the Wise (Gran Cruz de Alfonso X el Sabio) in Segovia. This is one of the highest Spanish honours for services to research, literature, art and education. Parzinger received the honour for his outstanding achievements as a scientist and cultural manager. The former UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, the cardiologist Valentin Fuster, the painter and sculptor Gustavo Torner and the architect Renzo Piano were also honoured.
The archaeologist Hermann Parzinger worked at the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) for many years and has been President of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK) since 2008. With its important museums, libraries, archives and research institutes, the SPK is one of the world's most renowned cultural institutions. During his time at the DAI, Parzinger led research projects in Spain, working in particular on Celtiberian culture, on which he published fundamental works. Parzinger has been a member of the Real Academia de la Historia in Madrid for many years. His scientific work focuses on cultural change in contact zones in various parts of Europe and Eurasia from the 7th to the 1st millennium B.C. He has received several awards for his scientific achievements, including the Leibniz Prize of the German Research Foundation. He is a member of the Order Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts as well as numerous national and international academies. In addition, he has repeatedly rendered outstanding services to scientific and cultural exchange between Germany and Spain.