It was a great day for the European Capital of Culture, Chemnitz! Countless fans on the red carpet, happy faces among the award winners, thunderous applause in front of a sold-out crowd: The gala for the European Culture Awards at the Chemnitz Opera was a great triumph of culture and European understanding alike. A total of eleven European Culture Awards were presented amidst considerable national media attention. With the deliberately chosen location in

Chemnitz is his city: Before Michael Ballack pursued an international career with FC Bayern, FC Chelsea, and as captain of the German national team, he learned the football trade at FC Chemnitz under Christoph Franke. Now 80 years old, the former coach can look back on a fulfilling life around the ball, first as a player, then for many years as a teacher. For the European Culture Awards gala, he shared his memories

The time has come: Tomorrow, the European Culture Prize will be awarded at the Chemnitz Opera. At today's press conference, the anticipation was palpable: Alphaville frontman Marian Gold will be performing for the first time with the Robert Schumann Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Anna Rakitina and also has some time to explore the 2025 Capital of Culture. "We've only been to concerts here so far," said host Annett Reeder.

On our Instagram channel, we share exclusive insights into the world of the European Culture Prize: inspiring personalities, impressions of the preparations for the gala, retrospectives on unforgettable evenings, and everything that makes culture visible.

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Image source: Nasser Hashemi

It will be a summit meeting of a special kind when Austrian actor Hans Sigl meets the true hero of the mountains. The greatest mountaineer of all time will be awarded the European Culture Prize on May 9 at the Chemnitz Opera. The 78-year-old, who was the first to conquer all 14 eight-thousanders and, as a passionate environmentalist, addresses the beauty and fragility of nature in his museums, will receive the honor.

The secret is out: The 2025 European Culture Awards will be presented to cult band Alphaville and Purple Disco Machine. A Chemnitz legend will also be honored: figure skating star Katarina Witt. Her laudatory speech will be delivered by US star Brian Boitano. Conductor Anna Rakitina and the Robert Schumann Philharmonic Orchestra will also be honored at the Chemnitz Opera.
Further award winners and information can be found here.

Spots on! Next year, the whole of Europe will be looking to Chemnitz: With the awarding of the European Culture Awards on May 9, 2025, an important and glamorous highlight of the Capital of Culture year has already been set. The first prize winners for 2025 have already been announced: In addition to the city's great son Matthias Schweighöfer, the Dresden Kreuzchor will be honored.

Happy faces among the prizewinners, thunderous applause and standing ovations in front of a sold-out audience: Two days before the European elections, the gala for the award of the European Culture Prizes in the Luxembourg Philharmonie became a great triumph of culture and European understanding alike. In the presence of Their Royal Highnesses, the Grand Ducal couple Henri and Teresa of Luxembourg, and the main partner Klemens Hallmann, owner of the Vienna-based HALLMANN HOLDING, a total of

Who doesn't know this face? He is a legend and a veteran, a figurehead for radio, a revolution for television: Frank Elstner has probably been a guest in every living room, and always on the most prominent broadcast slots. Even in times of streaming services and an oversupply of entertainment, his legendary formats stand out like beacons in people's collective memory. The television star is being honored for his life's work.

In Luxembourg, too, one can say: nobility obliges. Her Royal Highness Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, married to Grand Duke Henri since 27, has been a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for 1981 years and is selflessly committed to development cooperation. For this, the Cuban exile is being honored with the European Culture Prize in her adopted homeland. With her tireless efforts, the Grand Duchess gives hope to children in need and fights for equal rights.

Many celebrities have already taken to the stage at our festive galas, but even here, for the first time, a former President of the European Commission is visiting us to receive the European Culture Prize: Jean-Claude Juncker. This great office was only the high point of his 40-year career. The 69-year-old Luxembourger, who headed the Commission from 2014 to 2019, had long before made an outstanding contribution not only to his

He has the sun in his heart and always has the audience's sympathy on his side: Rolando Villazón is considered by many to be the ideal prototype of a singer-actor with character, who is absorbed in his roles in the best sense of the word. The star tenor with many talents stands - not least as the director of the Salzburg Mozart Week - like no other for music without borders and lives the diversity of genres