16/11/2019 - The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, has accepted an invitation to become Honorary President of the European Union Youth Orchestra. Since the foundation of the Orchestra in 1976 following a unanimous vote by the European Parliament, the Parliament's President has also taken the position of Honorary President of the Orchestra.
President David Sassoli announced his Honorary Presidency in a video message directed to the young people aged 16-26 that are now auditioning to be part of next year’s Orchestra:
“As President of the European Parliament and as Honorary President of EUYO, I assure you that the European institutions will continue to support your work. The European cultural industry needs to evolve and to be better known by its citizens. Thanks to your commitment, we will succeed in creating a unique European cultural landscape”.
The Orchestra's Co-Chairmen Sir John Tusa and Sir Ian Stoutzker, CBE commented: “As Co-Chairs of the European Union Youth Orchestra, we are delighted that the incoming President of the European Parliament has agreed to become Honorary President of the Orchestra. This is a strong expression of support for the EUYO's work as a representative of everything that is best about European cohesion and harmony. We look forward to continuing to fulfil that mission in the years ahead”.