23/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Border Breaker Awards (EBBA) were presented in a TV-show on the opening night of the EuroSonic Noorderslag Festival in Groningen (the Netherlands), in the presence of European Commissioner Ján Figel, numerous VIPs and 1200 visitors. The awards show, which featured live performances by five of the ten award winning acts and by special guests Gabriel Rios and the Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, will be broadcast throughout Europe and on Dutch national TV channel NOS at 20 hrs on Saturday 17 January 2009. The show will receive European coverage through the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) network of European television and radio stations. The ten best performing singers or groups in the EU were selected by the European Commission on Wednesday 17 December 2008 (see EUROPE 9808). (I.L.)