Vice President Anne-Marie Keding has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Emperor Otto Cultural Foundation since June this year. The Emperor Otto Prize, which will go to Igor Levit and Lisa Batiashvili next year, is an expression and symbol of living European values.

‘On a global scale, our continent is only small and does not have as many inhabitants as other nations or even continents. We are therefore dependent on living together peacefully with our neighbours, while always placing the European values of democracy and human dignityat the top of the list for a life of freedom and self-determination for each and everyone.

The two winners of next year’s award are not politicians or state leaders. They are musicians whose work and convictions stand for a Europe without war and antisemitism. They show us that European values and convictions are important for everyone and can be brought to life by everyone.’

Picture credits: © Rayk Weber