Flavia De Souza

The Investiture ceremony of the Chevalier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres,

A French Knighthood Award for Arts and Letters

Photographed by Azlan Christopher Abdullah

In 2009, Flavia was awarded the Chevalier de L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, a French Knighthood for Arts and Letters, from the French Government. The investiture was held at the residence of the French ambassador at that time, Monsieur Alain du Boispean, in Kuala Lumpur. This Knighthood is bestowed on merit to those who have distinguished themselves in their artistic or literary professions as well as promoted French culture whilst doing so. Flavia de Souza has always been proud of her French training as a concert pianist and has taught the French technique for pianoforte and for Solfege, the French Aural training. She speaks fluent French and has 'flown the colours of the French flag' at all her recitals and concerts and masterclasses by including music written by French composers. This Award of the Knighthood is her crowning achievement. The medal is crafted by a jeweller in Paris and is made of sterling silver and enamel. It is commissioned for each different recipient of the Award. The medal has two sides.

One side of the medal depicts France as a woman’s head with the words, Republic of France.

The reverse side of this medal shows the two letters, A and L, representing Arts and Letters.

One side of the medal depicts France as a woman’s head with the words, Republic of France.

The reverse side of this medal shows the two letters, A and L, representing Arts and Letters.

To view the slideshow of the Investiture ceremony, please click on the arrows to manually change each slide.

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The main entrance to the French ambassador’s Residence in Kuala Lumpur.

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The living room to the French ambassador’s Residence in Kuala Lumpur.

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Flavia is met by Monsieur Daniel Blaize, the then French Cultural Attache, at the Residence of the French ambassador.

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The room where the Investiture was held with some of the invited guests.

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Amongst the invited guests that evening were the late Norwegian ambassador, H.E. Arild Braastad and his wife, Nina Braastad, seen here second and third from left.

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A close family friend, Barry Masters, came especially from Singapore for Flavia’s Investiture. He is seen standing on the left of the picture together with Jackie Tsang who is beside Selina Ng.

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Winston Ee, who is one of Flavia’s closest friends, is seen in conversation with the late Arild Braastad, the Norwegian ambassador to Malaysia.

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The late Dato’ Dr. Sir Peter Mooney knew Flavia since she was eleven years old. He was an eminent and well-respected lawyer, a very cultured, quintessential Irish gentleman who headed the law firm, Skrine & Co. in Kuala Lumpur.

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Barry Masters, an Australian, who came all the way from Singapore for the Investiture, is a close family friend. A diamond jeweller by profession, now retired, he was one of the managing directors of Mondial.

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Enid Perera was an extremely close friend of Flavia’s family. She was a person whose joie de vive was infectious. Despite her many ailments, Enid was always a very positive person, and was someone with whom Flavia shared a close friendship.

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The speech by H.E. the French ambassador, Monsieur Alain du Boispean. *To view the full text of the speech please click on the image.

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Moments before the actual Investiture.

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The red cushion on which the Medal was placed.

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The moment when H.E. the French ambassador, Monsieur Alain du Boispean pinned the Medal of the award, the Chevalier du L’Ordre des Arts et Lettres.

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The Ceremonial Kiss.

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Flavia’s speech upon receiving the Award. *To view the full text of the speech please click on the image.

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H.E. the French ambassador, Monsieur Alain du Boispean and Flavia de Souza.

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The group picture together with the invited guests, taken after the Investiture on the steps of the Residence leading to the garden.

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The garden at the French ambassador’s Residence.

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At an opportune moment, two rainbows appeared in the sky although only one can be seen here. This picture was taken because it seemed as though Flavia’s late parents were also sending their blessings.

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The main entrance to the French ambassador’s Residence in Kuala Lumpur.

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Slide title

The living room to the French ambassador’s Residence in Kuala Lumpur.

Button
Slide title

Flavia is met by Monsieur Daniel Blaize, the then French Cultural Attache, at the Residence of the French ambassador.

Button
Slide title

The room where the Investiture was held with some of the invited guests.

Button
Slide title

Amongst the invited guests that evening were the late Norwegian ambassador, H.E. Arild Braastad and his wife, Nina Braastad, seen here second and third from left.

Button
Slide title

A close family friend, Barry Masters, came especially from Singapore for Flavia’s Investiture. He is seen standing on the left of the picture together with Jackie Tsang who is beside Selina Ng.

Button
Slide title

Winston Ee, who is one of Flavia’s closest friends, is seen in conversation with the late Arild Braastad, the Norwegian ambassador to Malaysia.

Button
Slide title

The late Dato’ Dr. Sir Peter Mooney knew Flavia since she was eleven years old. He was an eminent and well-respected lawyer, a very cultured, quintessential Irish gentleman who headed the law firm, Skrine & Co. in Kuala Lumpur.

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Slide title

Barry Masters, an Australian, who came all the way from Singapore for the Investiture, is a close family friend. A diamond jeweller by profession, now retired, he was one of the managing directors of Mondial.

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Enid Perera was an extremely close friend of Flavia’s family. She was a person whose joie de vive was infectious. Despite her many ailments, Enid was always a very positive person, and was someone with whom Flavia shared a close friendship.

Button
Slide title

The speech by H.E. the French ambassador, Monsieur Alain du Boispean. *To view the full text of the speech please click on the image.

Button
Slide title

Moments before the actual Investiture.

Button
Slide title

The red cushion on which the Medal was placed.

Button
Slide title

The moment when H.E. the French ambassador, Monsieur Alain du Boispean pinned the Medal of the award, the Chevalier du L’Ordre des Arts et Lettres.

Button
Slide title

The Ceremonial Kiss.

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Flavia’s speech upon receiving the Award. *To view the full text of the speech please click on the image.

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H.E. the French ambassador, Monsieur Alain du Boispean and Flavia de Souza.

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The group picture together with the invited guests, taken after the Investiture on the steps of the Residence leading to the garden.

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The garden at the French ambassador’s Residence.

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Slide title

At an opportune moment, two rainbows appeared in the sky although only one can be seen here. This picture was taken because it seemed as though Flavia’s late parents were also sending their blessings.

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A special vote of thanks to Mr. Lee Hong Leng of Applied Imaging. He photographed the entire Investiture and he has also helped Flavia in more ways than one, especially with all her photographic shoots and projections during her concerts.

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