Actor Matthias Schweighöfer has been awarded the European Culture Prize at the Chemnitz Opera House. Other award winners include figure skater Katarina Witt and footballer Michael Ballack. All three have their roots in the city.
The prize honors personalities, initiatives, artists, politicians and institutions that have had a lasting impact on Europe and its people. It is organized by the European Cultural Forum.
Other prizes were to go to DJ Purple Disco Machine, the band Alphaville, the Dresdner Kreuzchor and the Robert Schumann Philharmonic Orchestra Chemnitz, among others. The award is not endowed.
Parallel to the award ceremony, there was an action in Chemnitz against cuts in the cultural sector. An action alliance reportedly occupied the Schauspielhaus theater, whose renovation is on hold due to escalating costs. At the weekend, there will be music and other events on the forecourt of the theater. Speakers are welcome, they said. "The group wants to be a source of inspiration for how we want to shape our future together after 2025."
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