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Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today hosted a breakfast at Gracie Mansion, honoring members of the Japan Art Association, which gives the annual Praemium Imperiale Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts. The Award, comparable to the Nobel Prize for the Arts, is given to five artists of international distinction. This year's winners will be announced later today at a ceremony at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.
Joining the Mayor were: Prince and Princess Hitachi of Japan; Ambassador Seiichiro Otsuka and Mrs. Otsuka; Award International Advisors David and Diana Rockefeller; Former Prime Minister of Great Britain Sir Edward Heath; Former President of Federal Republic of Germany Richard Von Weizsacker; Former Prime Minister of Japan Yasuhiro Nakasone; Cultural Affairs Commissioner Schuyler Chapin; and Protocol Commissioner Irene Halligan.
"The Praemium Imperiale Awards constitute one of the greatest tributes to excellence in the arts around the world," the Mayor said. "I am deeply honored that New York City is host to this wonderful event, and I take this opportunity to thank David Rockefeller for his invaluable assistance in making it possible.
"On behalf of all New Yorkers I welcome His Imperial Highness Prince Hitachi, Her Imperial Highness Princess Hitachi, and all Award International Advisors to our City. I congratulate this year's five honorees and thank them for bringing beauty and inspiration to the world through their outstanding work in the fine arts," the Mayor concluded.
Each year, the nominations for the Praemium Imperiale Awards are hosted by one of the International Advisors. In 1999 David Rockefeller is organizing the festivities in New York City. This is the first time since 1988 that the City has hosted the Awards.