Brussels, 20/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - European Commissioner for Education and Culture, Jan Figel, will be awarding the European Border Breakers prize at the Midem annual international music trade fair in Cannes on 23 January, at a ceremony attended by culture ministers and representatives of the music industry. Eight artists or groups will win the prize for best-selling first album in the EU outside the country where it was produced from 1 September 2003 and 31 August 2004. This is the second time the prize is being awarded by the European Commission at an event organised in connection with music trade organisations EMO, EFPI, IMPALA, GESAC, ICMP/CIEM and Billboard Information. A special European Breakthrough prize is being awarded this year to an artist from one of the ten new Member States. The aim of the prizes is to give European artists greater visibility, promote diversity and the rich European music culture, explains the Commission.