The Eurovision Song Contest can add another title to its many accolades and illustrious history today as it’s been revealed the competition has won the 2016 Charlemagne Medal for European Media (French: Médaille Charlemagne pour les Médias Européens), and will recieve the accolade in a special ceremony on April 28th.
Established in 2006, previous recipients of the prize have included the European Film Agency and Reporters without Borders and serves to signify when an individual or organisation in the media has contributed significantly to the development of European identity and unity. EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre and Eurovision’s executive supervisor Jon Ola Sand will accept the award in a special ceremony on April 28th to be held in the prize’s origin city of Aachen, Germany. Conveniently, ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus will present the award to the contest that began his band’s international career.
Deltenre showed her delight at recieving the accolade, quoted as saying “We are thrilled to be receiving this prestigious award, precisely 60 years since the first Eurovision Song Contest was held in 1956 with the aim of uniting nations and exploring new television technology. Since then over 50 nations have taken part in this competition which reaches nearly 200 million viewers every year. We are proud that the Médaille Charlemagne Association has recognised the role that the Eurovision Song Contest continues to play in bringing together audiences across Europe and beyond.”
We at ESC United would like to congratulate the contest and the EBU on the award and look forward to more good news for the contest in future years!
Lead photo: Copyright European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
