It also felt like home because of the vast Indian American community of engineers, entrepreneurs and other professionals who had been drawn to this center of creativity and innovation.
"With their extraordinary talent, creativity and tenacity, the seven 2012 Kennedy Center honourees have contributed significantly to the cultural life of our nation and the world, " said chairman David Rubenstein.
Speaking alongside other G8 and G20 delegates at the Forum d'Avignon this weekend, Sarko affirmed his commitment to setting up a "national music center" within France, in the hopes of spurring artistic creativity amid a rather dour industrial climate.