Fance gives culture honor to U2’s Bono

PARIS - Agence France-Presse

Bono (R), lead singer of Irish rock band, U2, poses with French Culture Minister Aurelie Filippetti after receiving the Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters (Commandeur de l'ordre des Arts et des lettres) insignia on July 16, 2013 in Paris. AFP Photo

France on July 16 bestowed its highest cultural honor on U2 singer Bono at a ceremony in Paris.

The Irish singer was made a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, receiving the medal from French Culture Minister Aurelie Filippetti.

Bono, whose real name is Paul Hewson, is a leading advocate of aid for Africa. He founded the global anti-poverty group ONE to help fight poverty and disease on the continent.

The U2 lead singer has received numerous awards and honours for both his humanitarian work and services to music including France’s Legion d’Honneur and an honorary knighthood from Britain.