Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ in Amsterdam
The program on 13 December in the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ in Amsterdam opened with the film “In the Beginning’” by the Principal Prince Claus Laureate, Reza Abedini. Els van der Plas, the Director of the Prince Claus Fund, then held a word of welcome, which was followed by a speech by HRH Prince Friso of Oranje-Nassau. Niek Biegman, Prince Claus Awards Committee chairman, subsequently introduced the 11 awards, after which the Principal Award was presented to Reza Abedini by HRH Prince Friso. Abedini responded with a speech expressing his gratitude.
The program continued with the Dutch premiere of Dome and White Horse, two films by the 2006 Prince Claus Laureate Lida Abdul. Dr. P.H. de Heer, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then gave a speech on behalf of Prime Minister Balkenende, who was unable to attend the ceremony due to a political crisis. The afternoon was concluded with a preview of Bintou Were, un Opéra du Sahel, which was given by the Sahel Opera’s principal singers and musicians in the presence of the Malian Minister of Culture, Cheick Oumar Sissoko, who is also a 1999 Prince Claus laureate. Other Prince Claus laureates attending the awards ceremony included Lida Abdul (a 2006 laureate), the Iranian author Ebrahim Nabavi (a 2005 laureate), Omara Khan Massoudi, the director of the National Museum in Kabul (a 2004 laureate) and the Senegalese designer Oumou Sy (a 1998 laureate).
Approximately 120 international guests travelled to the Netherlands in order to participate in the Prince Claus awards ceremony, which was attended by a total of 630 people.
Stars of the Sahel Opera gave a preview of Bintou Were
Reza Abedini is given the Principal Prince Claus Award by HRH Prince Friso
