The maestro’s contributions to Persian classical music and his perseverance, innovations and humanitarian gestures have won him international acclaim. In 1999, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization presented a Picasso Medal to Shajarian for his role in the enrichment and development of music. In 2006, he was awarded a UNESCO Mozart Medal. In 2014, the French government conferred the prestigious National Order of the Legion of Honor on him. National Public Radio (NPR) recognized the virtuoso as one of its 50 Great Voices in 2010.
