Professor John Rink has received the Bene Merito, an honorary decoration of the Republic of Poland for contributions to activities strengthening Poland’s position in the international arena.
On Sunday 17 October 2021, Professor John Rink, an authority on the works of Fryderyk Chopin and a member of the jury of the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition, received the Bene Merito honorary distinction during a ceremony at the Fryderyk Chopin Museum in Warsaw.
Established in 2009, the Bene Merito honorary distinction is conferred by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland in acknowledgement of services that contribute to strengthening Poland’s status in the international arena.
Before presenting the Bene Merito medal to Professor Rink, Head of the Foreign Service Arkady Rzegocki delivered an address in which he presented Professor Rink’s achievements and highlighted his contribution to the promotion of the music and legacy of Chopin across the world. "No doubt the basis of Chopin’s fame was his outstanding talent, sensitivity, virtuosity, and musical innovation, which blazed a trail for the development of European music. But fame also needs its promoters. I have no need here to list the huge number of great artists who remained unappreciated during their lives and after their deaths. That is why we very much need people like Professor Rink - people who are engaged, devoted, and sincere in their love for Chopin", stated the Head of the Foreign Service.
