Bernese musician Kuno Lauener receives honorary doctorate from the University of Bern

Kuno Lauener is an outstanding dialect artist and an important innovator of contemporary Bernese rock music, according to a statement from the university. "Kuno Lauener has helped to shape the image of the city of Bern as an exciting and attractive place of lively youth culture, and his lyrics and music have touched many people for forty years," Rector Virginia Richter was quoted as saying.

Lauener said that he had never expected the award in his life. "But the doctoral hat looks good on me and I'm delighted!"

Whether Lauener will receive the award in person today at the University of Bern's annual birthday celebration, the so-called "Dies academicus", has not yet been decided, the university added.

Lauener is the sixth honoree

The University of Bern awarded the honorary doctorate of the Senate and the University Executive Board for the first time in 2009 on the occasion of its 175th anniversary. Previous recipients include Angela Merkel (2009), Prince Albert II of Monaco and Luc Pettavino (2014), Johann Schneider-Ammann (2019) and Nasrin Sotoudeh (2023). Lauener is the sixth person to receive an honorary doctorate from the entire university.

The Senate, the Executive Board and the faculties of the University of Bern can award honorary doctorates to individuals for outstanding academic or professional achievements or in recognition of a life's work.

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