Joop van den Ende Honored in Hamburg

During a live broadcast of the People and Organizations television Gala on 15 December, Joop van den Ende, co-founder and owner of Stage Entertainment, was honored as Hamburger of the year for his exceptional contributions to the city of Hamburg.

Stage Entertainment owns three theatres in Hamburg: the Theater im Hafen, the TUI Operettenhaus, and the Theater Neue Flora. More than sixteen million people have attended a show since Stage Entertainment opened its doors in Hamburg in 2001, and every year they spend about 400 million euros on hotels, restaurants and purchases. The Lion King premiered in the Theater im Hafen in 2001 and has been seen by over 6.5 million visitors.

Joop van den Ende was clearly touched when the actress and singer Carolin Fortenbacher sang a Laudatio for the occasion. Joop van den Ende: ‘I am very honoured and accept this prize on behalf of everyone in the organization who - thanks to their commitment, professionalism, and passion before and behind the scenes - has ensured that the public has an unforgettable evening. Only because of them and the many visitors who come to enjoy the magic of the musical, is possible to remain a healthy and successful company.'