Since 1997, the Gratias Agit has been awarded by the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the promotion of the good reputation of the Czech Republic abroad, in appreciation of the activities in non-governmental fields. Every year distinguished individuals or organizations that significantly contribute to promoting the good name of the Czech Republic abroad are awarded with this prize. The Gratias Agit Award is the highest honor awarded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Professor Jiri Hlinka, who lives in Norway, received Gratias Agit Award 2007. Congratulations!

Professor Jiri Hlinka is one of the leading piano teachers in Norway and Scandinavia and eager promoter of Czech culture. During his teaching career in Norway, he has received several major awards. In 1996, he was appointed First Professor at the Grieg Academy of Music in Bergen, and currently teaches at the prestigious Barrat-Due Institute of Music in Oslo. In 2004, Professor Hlinka was awarded HM the King's Medal of Merit in gold.

Both within and beyond the official scope of his duties, Professor Hlinka offers his students many opportunities to familiarize themselves with Czech music. Works by Czech composers are a regular part of his study programmes; his students gain a very detailed understanding of music by Bedřich Smetana, Leoš Janáček and Bohuslav Martinů, and keep returning to it throughout their professional careers.