October 11, 2021


Mikhail Grigoriev Receives Germany’s Order of Merit


Dr. Mikhail Grigoriev, MPI Deputy Director, was honoured with the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in recognition of his significant contributions to research cooperation between Germany and Russia. The award was presented by the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Novosibirsk, Bernd Finke, at a ceremony in the MPI’s conference hall on October 6, 2021. The Federal President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeir awarded Dr. Grigoriev on September 3, 2020, but the ceremony of bestowal was postponed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Order of Merit was also conferred to Prof. Hans-Wolfgang Hubberten, former Director of the Alfred Wegener Institute’s Potsdam Unit, who regretfully was unable to attend the ceremony in Yakutsk. In his welcoming speech, Mr. Finke pointed out Dr. Grigoriev’s role in the initiation and implementation of joint Russian–German research programs, including the annual Lena Expedition which marked its 25th anniversary last year, as well as many international Arctic research projects based on the Samoylov Island station. This long-standing cooperation, he noted, has enhanced academic exchange between the two countries and contributed appreciably to the international awareness of climate change issues.

The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany was instituted in 1951 by Federal President Theodor Heuss. It is the only honour that may be awarded in all fields of endeavour and is the highest tribute the Federal Republic of Germany can pay to individuals for services to the nation. Previous recipients from Russia include Daniil Granin, Mikhail Piotrovsky and Academician Vladimir Fortov.

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