Bob Dylan received the Legion of Honor—France’s highest cultural award—yesterday during a brief ceremony in Paris. The BBC reports that Culture Minister Aurelie Filippetti presented Dylan with the award, noting that the singer-songwriter was a hero for young people hungry for justice and independence. Dylan was short on words during his acceptance speech, simply stating that he was “proud and grateful” before leaving.

Dylan was supposed to receive the award earlier his year, but the accolade was temporarily blocked after General Jean-Louis Gerogelin, the Grand Chancellor of the Legion, voiced his concerns about the legendary musician’s use of marijuana and his anti-war politics.