DANIEL LIBESKIND HONORED BY GERMAN PRESIDENT HORST KOHLER WITH COMMANDER'S CROSS OF THE ORDER OF MERIT

Award Given for Creative and Forceful Expression of Architecture

Friday, November 16, 2007--

Today, world renowned architect Daniel Libeskind was recognized by the Federal Republic of Germany, with the Order of Merit, officially known as Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.  The honor has eight classes, with Mr. Libeskind receiving the Großes Verdienstkreuz, internationally known as Komturkreuz (Commander's Cross).

President Kohler presented Mr. Libeskind with this prestigious civilian honor for his architecture of optimism and reconciliation, which extended the basis for a dialogue of Germans with Jews in the United States and beyond.  The contributions of Mr. Libeskind to modern architecture in Germany expand outside of Berlin’s borders, helping to reconcile Germany ’s difficult history with its future, by means of architecture.

“I am delighted to receive such an honor from President Kohler.  The Jewish Museum Berlin holds a special place in my heart and I believe that design and architecture are the foremost communicators of all—provoking feelings and helping to facilitate discussions. For me, architecture tells a story about the world, our desires and dreams,” said Libeskind. “The buildings I create, are much more than a place, they are destinations meant to evoke emotion and to make you think about the world we all live in.”

“As fate would have it, Mr. Libeskind, was in Germany’s capital city, when  New York's Twin Towers were destroyed,” said Governing Mayor Klaus Wowereit. “That was when his Jewish Museum, this magnificent architectural masterpiece, was about to be officially opened. Today, six years later, the museum has become ours, an essential part of Berlin. The people of  Berlin have taken it to their hearts and have found new access to Jewish history. We, the people of Berlin, are proud to be able to call the global citizen and architect Daniel Libeskind one of our city’s master builders and we are happy that Jewish life is blossoming again in today’s Berlin.

The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany was instituted September 7, 1951 by Federal President Theodor Heuss. It is the only honor that may be awarded in all fields of endeavor and is the highest tribute the Federal Republic of Germany can pay to individuals for services to the nation.

Contacts:     Studio Daniel Libeskind: Lynn Krogh
                    (212) 497-9114 or (917) 378-9302
                    PublicRelations@daniel-libeskind.com

                    Linden Alschuler & Kaplan, Inc
                    Mollie Fullington
                    (212) 575-4545
                    mfullington@lakpr.com