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