For his commitment to reconciliation in the Middle East conflict, the Bruno Kreisky Prize for services to human rights was awarded to pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, which he and the Palestinian literary scholar Edward Said founded on May 20 at the Musikverein in Vienna awarded, which consists of young Israeli and Palestinian musicians. The three aid organizations ASPIS, ESRA and HEMAYAT, which are dedicated to caring for survivors of torture and war, are also honored.
The prize, worth 700,000 euros, was created in 1976 to mark the 65th birthday of the then Austrian Chancellor and is awarded at irregular intervals by a foundation. The eulogy for Maestro Barenboim was held by the President of the National Council, Barbara Prammer, and the artist André Heller addressed the aid organisations.
http://www.bka.gv.at/site/infodate__23.05.2011/7455/default.aspx?wai=true#id43665
Federal Chancellery Austria, Monday, May 23, 2011