Culture award: Kennedy center under Trump honors artists for life’s work

The Kennedy Center as the largest cultural institution in the US capital Washington is characterized by George Strait, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, Sylvester Stallone and the rock band Kiss for her artistic life’s work.

The Kennedy Center praised the country musician Strait for its commitment in favor of military families and wounded veterans. The band Kiss founded in New York, with more than 100 million albums sold, is one of the world’s “rock kings”. The talent of the British Crawford, best known in his role as a phantom of the opera in Andrew Lloyd Webbers Musical, includes theater, television, film and music.

Just as versatile the vocal career of Gaynor for five decades, it was said in the message. Stallone, who immortalized himself as Rocky and Rambo in the action film genre, inspired people around the world with film topics such as persistence and triumph contrary to all adversities.

This year’s honored are “really extraordinary class,” said US President Donald Trump, who as chairman of the Kennedy Center announced the names himself. Shortly after taking office, Trump had brought the renowned institution under his control, released several board members and made his former US ambassador in Germany, Richard Grenell.

Action film hero and Trump friend

Trump became personal at Stallone. He spoke of him as a “friend” and “phenomenal types”. The US actor and director is in turn being a decorated Trump supporter. The Republican even declared him a “special ambassador” of his interests in Hollywood in January.

Trump’s takeover of the facility, which is also conducted with state funds, is seen as part of an American cultural struggle, in which conservatives attempts to abolish an overly liberal ideology.

A award gala will take place on December 7th in the Opera House of the Kennedy Center.