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 , 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 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.

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 is a respected documentary filmmaker.

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


Collector Widad Kawar is committed to rescuing Arab textile artistry.

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


Boniface Mwangi is a photojournalist and exemplary photo-activist.

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


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


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


Maxamed Ibraahim Warsame promotes peace through Somali poetry.

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