David Van Reybrouck

David Van
Reybrouck

David Van Reybrouck has been described as ‘one of the leading intellectuals in Europe’ (Der Tagesspiegel). His highly-acclaimed books on colonial history, Congo and Revolusi, have become international bestsellers.

His essay Against Elections: The Case for Democracy was translated into over twenty languages and drew praise from former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. His plays Mission and Para have toured internationally, and his poetry has culminated into Rain Requiem, a tribute to climate victims. In 2021 he was a Distinguished Fellow at the Hannah Arendt Center for Politics and Humanities of Bard College, New York.

 

Van Reybrouck is a pioneering advocate of deliberative democracy. He founded the G1000 Citizens' Summit, and his work had led to trials in participatory democracy throughout Belgium and The Netherlands.

Awards and honors

2023

Geschwister-Scholl-Preis for Revolusi

2021

Premio De Sanctis Europa

2018

Premio Roma

2017

Prix du livre européen for Zinc

2015

Honorary doctorate Université Saint-Louis - Bruxelles

2015

Premio Letterario internazionale Tiziano Terzani for Congo

2014

Finalist for the Cundill Prize for History for Congo

2014

Premio Ryszard Kapuściński for Congo

2013

Prix Aujourd'hui for Congo

2012

Prix Médicis Essai and Prix du meilleur livre étranger for Congo

2012

NDR Kultur Sachbuchpreis for Congo

2010

AKO Literatuurprijs, Libris Geschiedenis Prijs and J. Greshoffprijs for Congo

2009

Jan Hanlo Essayprijs and Vlaamse Cultuurprijs voor Kritiek & Essay for Pleidooi voor populisme

2008

Arkprijs van het Vrije Woord

2004

Taalunie Toneelschrijfprijs for die Siel van die Mier

2002

Debuutprijs for De Plaag