Fukuoka Prize 2021 Award Ceremony Held Online for First Time in Its History;

Grand Prize Awarded to Mr. PALAGUMMI Sainath of India

Fukuoka City (Secretariat of Fukuoka Prize Committee) announced on October 1 that the City and the Fukuoka City International Foundation held an award ceremony for Fukuoka Prize 2021 on September 29. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, it was held with no audience and only a few authorized persons present in the venue. The ceremony was broadcast online via YouTube streaming while Their Imperial Highness Crown Prince and Princess Akishino also watched the ceremony online.

The Grand Prize was awarded to Mr. PALAGUMMI Sainath (India/ journalist), the Academic Prize to Professor KISHIMOTO Mio (Japan/ historian), and the Arts and Culture Prize to Mr. Prabda YOON (Thailand/ writer, filmmaker and artist). Mr. Sainath and Mr. Prabda attended online from abroad.

First, Mr. TAKASHIMA Soichiro, Mayor of Fukuoka City, addressed the audience on behalf of the organizers. Next, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino offered his celebration in a video message.

Then the video introductions of the laureates were screened including the personal history and outstanding achievements of Mr. Sainath, a passionately committed journalist who has continued to investigate impoverished farming villages in India, capture the reality of the people’s lifestyle, and report 'rural stories'.

After being presented with their certificates and medals through the screen, the laureates sent out their great messages though their acceptance speeches and interviews. They expressed their gratitude in their own words, and Mr. Sainath also gave a passionate speech on his thoughts on journalism.

With the presentation of flower bouquets, the award ceremony was closed in a splendid atmosphere. The historical award ceremony of the Fukuoka Prize, held after overcoming the challenges of COVID-19, was broadcast online in India as well.

In October, each prize laureate will give a public lecture. Mr. Sainath is scheduled to do so on October 13. It can be viewed via live YouTube streaming with an advance application. Please apply now.

For information and application for the public lecture:

https://fukuoka-prize.org/en/events/

(Photos: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/release/202109300904?p=images)