This weekend Europe has not only been in the spotlight politically but also culturally! At the Philharmonie last Friday evening, the European Culture Award was given out in Luxembourg for the first time, 11 in total and that in front of a big audience: the concert hall was sold out completely.
It was a prestigious gala with many famous personalities, including the Philharmonic orchestra together with Ronan Keating and a performance by TALI. One of the laureates was the former President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, who was honoured for his contributions to European integration.
Furthermore, Grand-Duchess Maria Teresa was honoured for her social engagement. She was visibly moved when accepting her award and dedicated it to '(...) those, who are neither heard nor seen, such as the millions of girls and women in Afghanistan’.
Another highly emotional moment was when Frank Elstner’s youngest daughter Enya took over the eulogy for her father. In her speech she thanked her father for always treating family as just as important as his career. The German television legend receive the European Culture Award for his life’s work. His career began 60 years ago in Luxembourg at Radio Luxembourg in the Villa Louvigny, later he became the popular host and TV-producer, who invented ‘Wetten Dass...?’ for instance.
Many more personalities were awarded and on top of that the Philharmonic Orchestra, in which 25 different nations play, was given the European Culture Award.
Next week there will be another more extensive documentary in ‘Magazin’ on the topic of the ‘European Culture Award’, and a personal interview with Frank Elstner will be dispersed.
