In 2011 the Prince Claus Fund supported 113 cultural initiatives in 66 countries, gave emergency aid to cultural heritage in 36 conflict and disaster situations and presented awards to 11 outstanding cultural achievers.
Here we provide a selection of our activities in all programmes.
On 14 December, Her Majesty the Queen, HRH Prince Willem Alexander, HRH Princess Máxima, HRH Prince Friso, HRH Princess Mabel, HRH Prince Constantijn and HRH Princess Laurentien attended the presentation of the 2011 Prince Claus Awards at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. HRH Prince Constantijn presented the 2011 Principal Prince Claus Award to Ntone Edjabe. Ghida Fakhry, a presenter with the 2003 Prince Claus laureate Al Jazeera, hosted the awards ceremony. The opening performance addressing social and environmental issues was a highly inventive online collaboration between dancer Nemecio Berrio, visual artist Fernando Arias from Colombia, and choreographer Patrick Acogny of the Senegalese dance company Jant-Bi. The closing performance was a satirical mini opera on culture and politics conceived by Mozambican musician Neo Muyanga and Ntone Edjabe, and performed by South Africa-based ensemble UZUbandi.
In his speech, Honorary Chairman HRH Prince Constantijn said:
'The independent mind, daring to aspire for change and inspiring others, is what is feared most by oppressive governments. Why? Because people can truly make a difference by showing civil courage. This was a bit of a mantra for my father. After living under two dictatorships in Germany and in the Dominican Republic, he was convinced of people’s duty to show ‘Zivil Courage’. In remembering him, we celebrate today: the courage to speak up, to perform, and express. The Prince Claus Awards provide a stage to acknowledge the exceptional work of organisations and people who make a real difference. They contribute to culture, and through culture. In doing so, they offer - in their own small or grand manner - new pathways for hope and development.’
The 2011 awards ceremony also celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Fund. 2003 laureate Ganesh Devy from India and Amila Ramovic of 2007 laureate Ars Aevi from Bosnia Herzegovina described the impact of the Prince Claus Award on their work and the wider cultural and social environment.
Please follow the read more link for more information on the 2011 Prince Claus Awards.
Prince Claus Fund Herengracht 603, 1017 CE Amsterdam | tel: +31 (0)20 344 9160 fax: +31 (0)20 344 9166
