Michael Eavis honoured at Festival Awards Europe

The finest European festivals, artists and promoters of 2011 were celebrated in De Oosterport in Groningen last night. Glastonbury might be taking a break in 2012, but the man getting the most acclaim was Somerset farmer and festival pioneer Michael Eavis. Now 76, he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Speaking of the accolade, Eavis said: “42 years ago I started something on my farm towards the end of the flower power era in the 60’s and we had less than a thousand people and now we have 150,000 people registered to buy a ticket for 2013.  Thank you very much to everyone and thanks to all the people who have been involved in our show and thanks to all the people who buy tickets every year. I hope there are a few more years to go yet, another 10 years maybe.”

Elsewhere, the luck of the Irish didn't quite come to fruition – Hungary's Sziget Festival was named Best Major European Festival and Rock Werchter in Belgium was named Best Euorpean Festival Line-Up. Artists acknowledged included James Blake and Coldplay.

A full run down of the winners:

Best Major European Festival – Sziget Festival (Hungary)

Best Medium-Sized European Festival – Off Festival (Poland) 

Best Small European Festival – Haldern Pop (Germany) 

Best New European Festival – Extrema Outdoor (Belgium) 

Best Indoor Festival – I Love Techno (Belgium) 

Best European Festival Line-Up – Rock Werchter (Belgium) 

YOUROPE Green ‘N’ Clean Festival Of The Year – Melt! (Germany) 

Artist’s Favourite European Festival – Southside / Hurricane (Germany) 

Best Newcomer association with Eurosonic Noorderslag – James Blake 

Best Headliner – Coldplay  

Festival Anthem of the Year -  Coldplay ‘Viva La Vida’ 

Virtual Festivals Europe presents Promoter Of The Year – FKP Scorpio (Germany) 
YOUROPE Lifetime Achievement Award – Michael Eavis, Glastonbury (UK)