On 4 December 2019, in a ceremony at the Royal Palace Amsterdam, HRH Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands presented seven Prince Claus Awards for outstanding achievement in the field of culture and development. Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima and their Royal Highnesses Princess Beatrix, Princess Laurentien and Princess Mabel of the Netherlands were in attendance, as well as government representatives and international and Dutch guests. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag spoke at the ceremony. 

HRH Prince Constantijn, Chair of the Board of the Prince Claus Fund, presented the Awards to:

As part of the Fund’s focus on developing and supporting activities with and for young people (ages 15 – 35) the Next Generation Prince Claus Award is presented to an individual under the age of 35 for outstanding achievements and contributions in the field of culture and development. It honours an individual who is a role model for younger generations and whose cultural actions have a positive impact particularly on young people in their society.

The Prince Claus Awards Ceremony included special performances by Djily Bagdad of Y’en a Marre (2015 Prince Claus Laureate) and singers Mahsa Vahdat and Nai Barghouti. The ceremony was moderated by international broadcast journalist Ghida Fakhry.

A solo exhibition featuring the work of Principal Prince Claus Laureate Kamala Ibrahim Ishag - Women in Crystal Cubes - is on view at the Prince Claus Fund Gallery in Amsterdam. 

About the Prince Claus Awards: Since 1997, the Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development has presented Prince Claus Awards to individuals, groups and organisations whose cultural actions have a positive impact on the development of their societies, mainly in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. This year all the Prince Claus Laureates are women or women-run organisations. Although gender was not emphasized in the requests for nominations, the nominations received and the Prince Claus Awards Committee’s resulting recommendations acknowledge a trend of exemplary women making strides in their fields. The 2019 Prince Claus Laureates will also be honoured at ceremonies in their home countries in the coming months. 

Read our 2019 Awards Book with more information about all of our 2019 Laureates, designed by Irma Boom. 

About the Prince Claus Fund: The Prince Claus Fund supports, connects, and celebrates artists and cultural practitioners where cultural expression is under pressure.