The committee’s reason is as follows: Everyone who has seen one of Ariane Mnouchkine’s productions at the Théâtre du Soleil in Paris leaves with the feeling of having been part of a tale of enchantment. A tale that is larger than life but at the same time reveals life. A fantastic journey that throws fresh light on history and contemporary society, that enriches thought and feeling and in dramatic language inspires an apparently paradoxical faith in the future.

Ariane Mnouchkine and her fellow actors at the Théâtre du Soleil give us back what our seemingly hopeless world has taken from us: courage, compassion and joy, the Committe stated.

The International Ibsen Award honours an individual, organisation or institution within the arts and culture for exceptional achievements defined within the spirit of Ibsen’s work. The Award shall initiate a critical debate about essential social, existential and aesthetic topics.

(NRK/Press release/Award Home Page)

Rolleiv Solholm