2012 Principal Prince Claus Award to Argentinian publishing co-operative Eloísa Cartonera

Eloísa Cartonera, Argentina

Eloísa Cartonera is a publishing co-operative of handmade books of recycled materials. The materials are collected by cartoneros, unemployed who tried to survive after Argentina's political and economic collapse in 2001. Drawn to Eloísa's social solidarity, established and emerging Latin American writers donate short stories, novels and other forms of literature. Eloísa Cartonera transformed 'the book' from an unattainable object into a widely accessible source of pleasure, knowledge and self-development. More than 60 cartonera publishers are currently operating in countries across Latin America.

The Prince Claus Awards

The Prince Claus Awards are presented annually to 11 individuals or organisations whose cultural actions have a positive impact on the development of their societies.

The Principal Laureate receives €100,000. The Principal Award will be presented on 12 December 2012 by HRH Prince Constantijn at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. The other ten laureates receive their awards of €25,000 in their country of residence.

2012 Prince Claus Awards

Sami Ben Gharbia, Tunisia
Sami Ben Gharbia is an innovative cyber-activist, co-founder of the web portal Nawaat.org, a blog collective that played an important role in the Tunisian revolution.

Habiba Djahnine, Algeria
Habiba Djahnine is a respected documentary filmmaker.

Yassin al Haj Saleh, Syria
Yassin al Haj Saleh is a writer, public intellectual and voice of reasoned analysis in the midst of the current Syrian crisis.

Widad Kawar, Jordan
Collector Widad Kawar is committed to rescuing Arab textile artistry.

Teresa Margolles, Mexico
Teresa Margolles is a radical visual artist who examines the social causes of death.

Boniface Mwangi, Kenya
Boniface Mwangi is a photojournalist and exemplary photo-activist.

Phare Ponleu Selpak, Cambodia
Cultural organisation Phare Ponleu Selpak enriches the Khmer culture in post-conflict Cambodia.

Ian Randle, Jamaica
The pioneering Ian Randle is founder of the first Caribbean independent publishing house.

Maung Thura, alias Zarganar, Burma
Maung Thura is the leading comedian, free thinker and social activist in Burma.

Maxamed Ibraahim Warsame, alias Hadraawi, Somaliland/Somalia
Maxamed Ibraahim Warsame promotes peace through Somali poetry.

For more information see http://www.princeclausfund.org