For the fourth consecutive year European Union will be awarding 10 European artists who have achieved the highest record sales for a debut album of original material outside of their European country of origin. On Sunday 21st January 2007,at the MIDEM (International Music Market) Festival, in the French ciy of Cannes, Helena Paparizou will receive one of the ten awards.

In 2004, the European Commission took the initiative to create the European Border Breakers Awards(EBBA). These awards go to artists (and their record companies, authors and publishers) whose debut albums have achieved the highest sales during the year in the European Union but outside its country of production. They are organisedthrough acollaborationbetween EMO, GESAC, ICMP/CIEM, IFPI, IMPALA, SACEM, GERMAN SOUNDS as well as with MTV Europe and Billboard Information Group. It's the Billboard Group that provides statistics so the winners can be selected.

Each January, the global music industry's delegates meet in Cannes at the MIDEM Festival, one of the most important music events, to do deals, network, learn about the sector’s future, and check out new talents. MIDEM attracts nearly 10,000 delegates from almost 100 countries.

Helena Paparizou, winner of the 2005Eurovision Song Contest with the song My Number One, will be awarded for her first solo album, Protereotita: Euroedition.The album includes the2005 winning song. Last month she released her second album 'The Game of Love'.

In 2005, Corneille, compositor of the French entry in Eurovision Song Contest 2006, was one of the awarded artists.In 2004, Las Ketchup (Spanish entrants in 2006) were winners as well. Last year's winners were: Hush, Arash, Bebe, KT Tunstall, Juli, Amel Bent, Sarah Bettens, Hal, Heaven Street Seven.

Click here to purchase My number one – The Album

Click here to purchase The game of love – The Album