It was an evening full of music. On June the 8th Dresden and its famous Frauenkirche became the European ambassadors of peace and sound.

The European Culture Prize TAURUS was presented to eight people and institutions in Dresden on June 8 during a Gala ceremony in the Dresden Frauenkirche. Each person awarded is particularly committed to the preservation of the common cultural heritage – said Viola Klein from the Board of Trustees of the European Culture Prize in Dresden.

The European Culture Prize is presented annually to individuals and organisations who have contributed to the idea of the unified Europe. TAURUS is an award which recognizes people and initiatives whose outstanding achievements in Europe’s cultural life are exemplary. Piotr received the award – a bronze sculpture of Taurus – from the hands of his friend and stage partner Annette Dasch. He dedicated the award to his wife Kasia, who has been accompanying him for years not only during countless travels to different countries and continents, but also during an extraordinary journey of his career as an opera singer.

We are the citizens of the world – emphasized Piotr in his speech. – We feel part of every country we visit. What is particularly beautiful in Europe is the fact, that we, Europeans, do not just live side by side, we live together and we stick together. I truly believe that it will stay this way because this is, what makes us stronger – he added.

Among the award winners were also: the rock legend Peter Maffay, actor Daniel Brühl, the soprano Anja Harteros, the Dresden Music Festival director Jan Vogler and the European Union Young Orchestra. Prince Albert II of Monaco accepted the Taurus on behalf of his own foundation together with the German Sea Foundation in recognition of the tireless struggle for the protection of the oceans. The Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to the Greek singer Nana Mouskouri and the Dresden-born painter Gerhard Richter.

The gala was broadcasted live by German public broadcaster MDR and is still available to watch on the MDR website.