- Saoi
Saoi (pronounced|sˠiː) (pl. "saoithe"; lit. "wise one"; hist. head of poetic school; master), is the highest honour that members of
Aosdána , an association of people inIreland who have achieved distinction in the arts, can bestow upon a fellow member. No more than seven living members can be so honoured at one time.cite web
title=Saoi Award and Nomination Process
url=http://aosdana.artscouncil.ie/Saoi.aspx
accessdate=2008-05-13 ] The title of Saoi is conferred by thePresident of Ireland (following election from among the membership of Aosdána) and held for life. Atorc (a twist/spiral of gold, worn around the neck) is presented to each Saoi by the President and/or Administrator.Nominating Process
A committee of ten members of Aosdána referred to as the
Toscaireacht cite web
title=Toscaireacht Committee and Current Membership
url=http://aosdana.artscouncil.ie/Toscaireacht.aspx
accessdate=2008-05-13 ] monitor and manage the nominating process to confirm adherence to the established rules. Fifteen members of the Aosdána must nominate a candidate of merit and distinction. An election bysecret ballot then occurs with all members. Approval is determined by at least 50% + 1 of the membership voting approval.Only one nomination per vacancy may be processed through an election at a time. If multiple candidate submissions are received, they go through the election process one at a time until a successful approval is declared. Subsequent nominees are held until there is a future vacancy.
ome members of Aosdána who have been given the title of Saoi
*
Samuel Beckett
*Mary Lavin
*Benedict Kiely
*Louis le Brocquy
*Sean O'Faolain
*Francis Stuart
*Patrick Collins
*Tony O'Malley
*Seamus Heaney
*Anthony Cronin
*Brian Friel
*Aidan Higgins
*Patrick Scott References
External links
* [http://aosdana.artscouncil.ie/ Official Aosdána Website]
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