Haris Alexiou, the great Greek singer, received the most significant Italian Award.
On May 9 Alexiou received the Una vita per la musica – Giglio d’ oro award at the historical theater Teatro della Pergola in Florence, one of the most distinguished music awards in Italy and Europe, from the Premio Galileo Institution.
Haris Alexiou was chosen for the award for her contribution to European music and culture and her overall career in Greek music. Among the members of the committee that voted for Haris Alexiou were Jacques Lang – the former Minister of Culture of France – Irene Pappas and Irene Strotsi.
The institution considers Alexiou’s presence at the awards very important, so Alfonso de Virgilis came to Greece to hand her the invitation personally, denoting that Haris Alexiou is «la piu’ grande cantante greca», the greatest Greek singer.
The President of the European University Institute has defined the Premio Galileo 2000 as “the most noteworthy event of the Festival d’Europa.”
This edition of the Premio Galileo 2000 took place within the ambit of the Festival d’Europa, from 6 to May 10, 2011.
List of prize-winners:
Premio per la Politica: Jacques Lucien Jean Delors
Premio per l’Economia: Jean Claude Juncker
Premio per i Diritti Umani: Marjam Irisbaeva
Premio per la Politica scientifica e tecnologica: Josè Manuel Barroso
Premio per la Pace: Ivo Josipovic’
Premio una vita per la musica Giglio d’Oro: Haris Alexiou
Premio Pentagramma d’Oro: Orchestre giovanili della Scuola di Musica di Fiesole
Premio per la Cultura: Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino