The EUYO received the European Cultural Brand of the year 2020 award during the 15th European Cultural Brand Award gala ceremony that took place in the Nikolaisaal Potsdam on 26 November 2020. Current EUYO member Malin Grass and EUYO Alumnus Timo Tromp represented the Orchestra in person, receiving the award in the name of the Orchestra.
“We are absolutely delighted to receive this prestigious cultural brand award” commented EUYO Secretary General, Marshall Marcus, “which is, ultimately, a confirmation of the European Project itself: in our case bringing young talented European musicians together united by a shared sense of cultural heritage, innovation, sustainability, and the constant pursuit of excellence. It confirms that at a challenging time, unity in diversity - and the principle that we are always better together - really works. This award is not simply for us: it is for Europe.
Michelle Müntefering, German Minister of State for International Cultural Policy at the Federal Foreign Office and patron of the manifestation, and Dr. Hagen W. Lippe-Weißenfeld, president of the 42-strong jury of experts from the fields of culture, business and media, opened the gala evening. Launched in 2006 by the cultural manager Hans-Conrad Walter, the European Cultural Brand Award is considered Europe’s most advanced cultural prize, honouring eight different categories including cultural brands, trendsetting cultural providers, cultural managers, cultural investors, innovative educational programs, urban culture, cultural tourism regions, and the most sustainable investments in cultural projects from Europe.
The EUYO received the Award for the first category, “European Cultural Brand of the year 2020”, given “to cultural providers that have established a strong European brand based on an outstanding media strategy and innovative brand management”.