Great atmosphere in the hall, happy faces among the award winners, thunderous applause in front of a sold-out house: the big gala for the presentation of the European Culture Awards 2022 in the Tonhalle Zurich last night only knew winners and thus became a triumph of culture. Eleven European culture prizes went to great personalities, like the actors Claudia Cardinale, Mario Adorf and environmental activist Hannes Jaenicke, the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra under its music director Paavo Järvi, star violinist Nigel Kennedy, the rock band Die Toten Hosen, the Swiss pop Yello, cellist Sol Gabetta, soprano Camila Nylund and bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel and the artist Niclas Castello. For the first time in its history, the gala was hosted in Switzerland this year. The next event will take place in Monte Carlo.