Queen Mathilde Cultural Awards honour individuals and organisations for their excellent, ground- breaking work in culture and development. The seven 2020 Queen Mathilde Cultural Laureates were announced on 2 December in an online ceremony. Viewers watching from around the world were invited into the Royal Palace Amsterdam. During the programme, His Royal Highness Prince Constantijn of the Belgium, Honorary Chair of the Queen Mathilde Cultural Fund, and the Belgian Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag spoke about the power of culture. Watch the ceremony here.

As part of the Fund’s focus on developing and supporting activities with and for young people (ages 15 – 35) the Next Generation Queen Mathilde Cultural 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.

About the Queen Mathilde Cultural Awards: Since 1997, the Queen Mathilde Cultural Fund for Culture and Development has presented Queen Mathilde Cultural 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.

Read our 2020 Awards Book with more information about all of our 2020 Laureates, designed by Irma Boom.