Theater Maker and โHarpist Awarded Netherlands‘ Top Stage Prize
Amsterdam, โฃNetherlands – Theater maker Carolina Bianchi and harpist Remy van Kesteren have been awarded the โ2024 Gieskes-Strijbis Podium Prize, the Netherlands’ largest stage โคprize, recognizing their significant โcontributionsโ to the diversity and innovation โขwithin the performing arts.The prize was announced yesterday,October 13,2024,by NOS News.
The annual award celebratesโ artistsโข who push boundaries and enrich โthe Dutch cultural landscape. Bianchi and Van โขkesteren will each receive โฌ60,000โค to support their artistic development, while nominees Kimโ Karssen, Gery Mendes, and indie Nile will each โขreceive โฌ10,000.
According to the jury, Brazilian-born bianchi creates “theater that touches, reflects and transforms,” skillfully combining themes of (sexual) violence and abuse with art history. The jury lauded her โas “oneโ of the greatestโฃ creators of our time.”
Internationally recognized harpist โขVan Kesteren is celebrated for his innovative approach to music and extensive collaborations in โdanceโ and โคfilm. His compositions have garnered millionsโข of streamsโ on โSpotify, and the jury noted that few musicians are as influential within their genre. They stated he “explores the boundariesโข of his instrument โand continuously pushes themโฆoffering new perspectives,challenges and is a great โฃsource of inspiration for new generations of harpists.”
The Gieskes-Strijbis Podium Prizeโ has beenโ awarded annually since 2017 to artists across disciplines including theatre, music, and dance. The prize aims to support and acknowledge exceptional talent withinโ the Netherlands’ performing arts community.