On 17 December ;Algerian publisher Barzakh Editions received the Principal Prince Claus Award from HRH Prince Friso. The Awards Ceremony took place at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. The ceremony was attended among others by HM Queen Beatrix, the Prince of Orange, Princess Máxima, Prince Constantijn and Ben Knapen, the Minister of European Affairs and International Cooperation. In his speech, Prince Friso praised Barzakh Editions for creating a space of freedom where culture can bloom and be enjoyed, and where complex and profound issues can be discussed. Barzakh Editions is an independent publisher in Algiers that has created a platform for a new generation of Algerian writers, thereby opening the doors for an exchange of ideas between Algeria and the rest of the world. Barzakh Editions was established in 2000 by  Sofiane Hadjadj and Selma Hellal in the aftermath of Algeria’s black decade of violence. 

During and after the black decade, numerous Algerian writers emigrated for reasons of cultural isolation, economic crisis and political violence. As a result, a considerable amount of Algerian literature is published outside of Algeria, making it expensive and unavailable for much of the population.

Barzakh Editions has succeeded in creating breathing space in the deadlock between authoritarian forces and a powerful Islamic movement. Driven by a passion for books and the conviction that freedom of speech and thought are essential to the development of the country, Sofiane Hadjadj and Selma Hellal have made the work of local and exiled authors accessible and affordable. They have released more than 110 publications in Algeria, many of which have been translated and published in other African and European countries. Barzakh Editions publishes authors from francophone Sub-Saharan Africa and Arabic translations of French literature. It promotes international exchange and organizes public discussions, lectures and exhibitions. The Principal Prince Claus Award honours Barzakh Editions for providing Algerians with a voice, for facilitating the much-needed critical reflection on Algerian reality, for building a bridge between various languages and cultures, and for creating a beacon for the country’s creative potential.