Gorbachev Gets An EMA

The one MTV European Music Award that wasn’t presented at the annual ceremony at Berlin O2 Arena Nov. 5 was the Free Your Mind award that went to former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

He received the award, which aims to highlight humanitarian issues and encourage freedom from all kinds of intolerance and prejudice, at a private gala dinner in Berlin hosted by the Cinema for Peace Foundation Nov. 8 – the eve of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The ceremony was also attended by singer, songwriter and political activist Bob Geldof, classical singer Placido Domingo and former German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher.

The award is intended for any individual or organisation that embodies the ideals of MTV’s campaign.

Gorbachev received his in recognition of his contribution to new attitudes and democracy in the Eastern bloc and for bringing about change in Europe.