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The annual Prince Claus Awards recognise exceptional achievements in the field of culture and development. The awards are presented to artists and intellectuals as well as to organisations engaged in culture. Excellence is of crucial importance in the selection of recipients of the Prince Claus Awards. Another decisive factor is ‘added value’: the positive effects of the work of a laureate in the cultural or wider social field. The committee appreciates innovation, surprise and perseverance.
The committee wishes again this fourth time to bring attention to the main award by assigning a topic to it that will be given extra attention at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. It also wishes to reflect the full breadth of the Fund’s mission - ‘culture and development’ - in its other awards.
The committee has been increased by one new member: Bruno Stagno (Prince Claus laureate in 1997). The 7 members studied 80 submitted nominations in two selection rounds. The Fund approached more than a hundred experts, partially for second opinions. The Board of the Prins Claus Fonds took the advice of the committee and decided from now on to extend the awards in Euros.
The award of EUR 100,000 is extended this year to a trio of ‘Urban Heroes’. All three of them work in Latin America. Urban Heroes is an honorary title for those individuals who have exerted themselves in a surprising and successful manner in improving the humane character of cities in the Third World.
Jaime Lerner (1937, Curitiba, Brazil) is an inspiring planner. He was mayor of Curitiba three times (1971-75, 1979-83 and 1989-92) and turned that city into a paradigm of city planning, and not only for developing countries. He created an infrastructure in Curitiba that kept the city from bursting out of its seams despite its rapid growth. His bus tickets, which were also lottery tickets, have become internationally renowned.
Viva Rio (founded in 1993, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is civil society in action. Viva Rio came into being from a massive protest against street violence. This new form of citizen action has made a true difference for the millions of inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro and has created a synergy with the city government. Viva Rio is a new model for the citizens of Rio, the country and the continent. Although not cultural in the strict sense, Viva Rio displays a moral dimension and expresses the importance of values, and thus the important role culture can play in a destructive environment.
Francisco Toledo (1940, Minatitlán, Oaxaca, Mexico): artist. Toledo has created a flourishing artistic climate in the old provincial capital of Oaxaca, which connects with local and Indian traditions. Toledo is greatly appreciated for his original undertakings to save and convert old buildings, for the creation of an original garden and for the establishment of museums. He has frequently been at odds with the government. Toledo is an ‘urban hero’ for keeping his native town beautiful in a globalising world.
The ten Prince Claus Awards amounting to EUR 20,000 apiece go to laureates in the fields of literature, journalism, community development and performing arts (‘animateurs culturels’), media, film, photography, painting, architecture, traditional music and rock music. All of them, in their own area of specialty, are honoured for their outstanding and successful contributions to culture and society.
Community radio station Bush Radio (started broadcasting illegally in 1993; licensed in 1995, Cape Town, South Africa) is ‘a very large electronic drum’. It tackles topics such as AIDS and Truth and Reconciliation in informative broadcasts and in discussion programmes with listeners from the least privileged groups.
The independent magazine Communalism Combat (founded in 1992, Bombay, India) opposes ethnic fundamentalism and separatism in Indian culture, also in the diaspora. It creates a space for freedom: a platform for the discussion of current and often controversial issues. This English-language newspaper works together with more than 15 publications in other Indian languages.
The rock musician Cui Jian (1961, PR China) expresses the feelings of the young people of his country, incorporating a natural respect for Chinese culture and society. Through his development of an authentic Chinese rock music, he distinguishes himself from a purely western inspired musical style.
Film Resource Unit (founded in 1986, Johannesburg, South Africa) promotes the distribution of foreign and African films in southern Africa countries. FRU has fought many uphill battles, but has succeeded in setting up a successful and extensive network that stretches beyond the boundaries of the various countries in the region.
Arif Hasan (1943, Delhi, India; based in Karachi, Pakistan) is much more than an architect and urban planner; he is a social philosopher who researches urban development. He resists common visions of urban renewal and encourages the use of proven, popular solutions.
Bhupen Khakhar (1934, Baroda, India) has developed a completely original, Indian-inspired language in his painting which has come to attract international attention. He chooses topics from his immediate environment and expresses openly and with humour such matters as vulnerability, dreams and his sexual individuality.
Komal Kothari (1929, Kapasin, India) is a teacher of ancient music. He researches and compiles the indigenous music of Rajasthan, and blows new life into old instruments. He is a guru in the oral tradition, understands the values of tradition and makes new generations adopt them.
Werewere Liking (1950, Cameroon; based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast) is a true ‘animatrice culturelle’. Herself a creative personality in theater, dance and literature, she has created a special village for the artistic education of young people. She galvanises the cultural scene in Abidjan.
The youngest prize winner is Ayu Utami (1968, Bogor, Indonesia), author. She writes about such matters as sex and the contacts between religions in her novel and essays in an uncommon way for Indonesia. Her tolerance and openness offer a balance to conservative streams. She makes a difference in the present period of Indonesian history.
Van Leo, a photographer, is the eldest laureate; he was born in Jihane, Turkey in 1921. His Armenian family moved to Zagazig, Egypt in 1924. In him the Fund honours the solitary artist. The portraits he made of himself, of everyday people and of film stars and other celebrities form a unique document in the multi-cultural society of Cairo in the second half of the 20 th century.
May the 2000 Prince Claus Awards bring the laureates much pleasure and new recognition. The world is enriched by their examples.
The 2000 Prince Claus Award Committee: Adriaan van der Staay, Charles Correa, Emile Fallaux, Mai Ghoussoub, Gaston Kaboré, Gerardo Mosquera, Bruno Stagno
