Borka Pavicevic, dramaturge and Director of Belgrade's Centre for Cultural Decontamination, has shown defiant optimism in reviving the spirit of liberal arts and public discourse under truly difficult conditions, standing firm against intolerance, xenophobia and cultural homogenisation. Stefan Kaegi's documentary form of theatre explores the unseen networks between different cultures, cities, countries and continents, revealing the hidden lives and minds of our increasingly globalised landscapes. As only seemed right, Stefan's lively, engaging worldview was transmitted live to the Routes audience via Skype on the night. He announced his decision to share his prize with Juliane Männel for her work on Radio Muezzin and with Jörg Karrenbauer  for his work on Cargo Sofia, the project singled out for praise by the Routes jury.

The ceremony

From left to right:  Borka Pavicevic, Juliane Männel, Jörg Karrenbauer, HRH Pirncess Margriet and Aldith Hunkar, our moderator for the evening.© Edelweiss

The Borka Pavićević laureate film and Stefan Kaegi laureate film are now available. 

You can read the full version of the opening adress by Princess Laurentien, the moving speech by laureate Borka Pavicevic, and the laudatio by Princess Margriet.

A panel discussion involving Ed Kronenburg, Xavier Troussard and Jan Goossens made the point that politicians should repeatedly describe cultural diversity as a strength rather than a weakness; at the same time, rather than simply being used as an empty rhetorical phrase, cultural diversity must be actively engaged with at all levels. Art provides the quickest shortcut to the questioning of prejudices.