Snoopy Creator Schulz Receives French Honor
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PARIS — Cartoonist Charles Schulz drew lofty praise from the keepers of French culture today as they lavishly celebrated the 40th birthday of America’s favorite floppy-eared dog, the irrepressible Snoopy.
The beagle was glorified with a giant retrospective at the Decorative Arts Museum. French Culture Minister Jack Lang named Schulz a “commander of arts and letters,” one of France’s highest awards for excellence in the arts.
“Thank you for being the creator of Snoopy, full of humor and with a zest for life,” Lang told Schulz. “Your character is both mythical and hedonistic and he has taken over our collective consciousness and become a part of our everyday lives.”
Schulz, 67, beaming but appearing slightly embarrassed by all the fuss, said that when Snoopy was a World War I flying ace, he asked him how he learned to speak French.
“He said he had a small tourist phrase book but he told me you only really need to know one word, and that is merci, “ Schulz said in English.
The show opens to the public Wednesday and runs through April 22.
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