Daniel Barenboim becomes honorary citizen of Berlin

Daniel Barenboim

Conductor Daniel Barenboim (80) is to become an honorary citizen of Berlin.

The honorary citizenship will be awarded to him on April 21, a spokeswoman for the Senate Chancellery confirmed on Tuesday. The musician is to be honored at a ceremony in the Red Town Hall by Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) and the President of the House of Representatives, Cornelia Seibeld (CDU).

"Central artistic personality of our time"

Barenboim is a central artistic personality of our time, the Senate Chancellery announced. "He has lived and worked in Berlin for 30 years and continually enriches the city's cultural life with his work." Barenboim's work as an artist and his efforts to bring people together were praised.

General Music Director of the Berlin State Opera

Barenboim was general music director of the Berlin State Opera Unter den Linden. He gave up the post just a few months ago due to illness. In the past, Barenboim had also co-founded the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, which aims to bring together Arab and Israeli musicians.