The international Ibsen prize should honour an individual, an organisation or an institution within arts and culture, that has done an extraordinary achievement in the spirit of Ibsen. The prize is worth 2.5 million Norwegian kroner.
It is the first time that the international Ibsen prize is awarded. Head of the jury, author Liv Ullmann, was very enthusiastic about the 83 year old prize winner, when it was presented on August 18th:
“The International Ibsen Prize for 2008 is given to Peter Brook for his successful demonstration that all significant theatre has a unique ability to bring people together, that culture is something everyone can appreciate, and that no group or nation can claim ownership of a work of literature, either in the form of words or as performed on stage”.
During sixty years, Brook has directed a vast number of plays and several film- and TV productions. He has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Opera House in London for several years.
Brook comes from a Russian-jewish background. He was born in London in 1925. Since 1970, he has been living and working in Paris.
The prize will be presented to Brook at the Norwegian National Theatre’s main stage on 31 August.
A lecture by Peter Brook will be held at The Ibsen House in Skien 1 September.