King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands was responsible, this Tuesday evening, for presenting the Erasmus Prize. The work of Indian writer Amitav Ghosh was recognized with this prestigious prize, during a ceremony attended by Queen Máxima. Princess Beatrix and one of her sisters, Princess Irene, were also present.
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Amitav Ghosh receives the Erasmus Prize from the King of the Netherlands
The Erasmus Prize is an award given annually to a person or institution that has made an extraordinary contribution to the humanities, social sciences or arts, in Europe and beyond. The Praemium Erasmianum Foundation, organizer of this prize, chooses a theme for each edition. In 2024, the prize focused on people who have carried out work on climate change.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, 56, was responsible for presenting the prize during a ceremony at the royal palace in Amsterdam. Indian writer Amitav Ghosh received the prize, which comes with a financial reward of 150,000 euros. The winner was recognized for his extensive body of work, which includes both historical novels and journalistic essays. “Ghosh, like no other, has grappled with the question of how to do justice to the existential threat of climate change that is beyond our imagination”justified the jury in its report.
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Queen Máxima, Princess Beatrix and Princess Irene are present at the ceremony
“His work offers medicine by making an uncertain future palpable with compelling stories about the past. At the same time, he goes to war with his pen to show that the climate crisis is a cultural crisis which arises above all from a lack of imagination.. The award ceremony took place in the presence of numerous guests, members of the jury, and members of the royal family. Queen Máxima, 53, who wore a colorful ruffled dress by Dutch designer Claes Iversen, was present alongside her mother-in-law, the former Queen Beatrix.
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Princess Beatrix, 86, was herself accompanied by one of her sisters, Princess Irene, 85. Princess Irene participates in very few official engagements and even family engagements. Unlike her sisters, Princess Beatrix and Princess Margriet, who work full-time for the monarchy, Princess Irene does not work for the Royal Household. The prize was founded in 1958 by their father, Prince Bernhard. Since then, the royal family has remained closely linked to the organization of the event which always takes place at the royal palace and the King is appointed “Regent” of the Praemium Erasmianum Foundation.
According to the jury, through his understanding and imagination, Ghosh created a space of hope and the hope necessary for change. This year’s theme was titled “Imagining the Unthinkable.” His writings are based on in-depth research, which makes the major themes he addresses tangible.
Nicolas Fontaine
Editor-in-chief
Nicolas Fontaine has been a designer-editor and author for numerous Belgian and French brands and media. A specialist in royal family news, Nicolas founded the site Histoires royales of which he is the editor-in-chief. [email protected]
