paroolOct 5, 2026, 18:30

Performer Jef Van gestel and dancer Cheroney Pelupessy win Gieskes-Strijbis Podium Prize

Performer Jef Van gestel and dancer Cheroney Pelupessy have been named winners of the Gieskes-Strijbis Podiumprijs, receiving 70,000 euros each for their contributions to the Dutch performing arts. The award recognizes mid-career artists who demonstrate exceptional creativity and innovation in their fields.

Performer Jef Van gestel and dancer Cheroney Pelupessy have been awarded the Gieskes-Strijbis Podiumprijs, an annual honor recognizing mid-career artists who enhance the diversity and quality of the performing arts in the Netherlands. Each winner will receive 70,000 euros, an increase from previous years due to the prize's anniversary. Three other nominees, Diamanda La Berge Dramm, Dunja Jocić, and Florian Myjer, were also awarded 35,000 euros each to support their future artistic endeavors.

Jef Van gestel, based in Amsterdam, is recognized for his unique fusion of theater, performance, and visual arts, often exploring absurd and grotesque themes. Cheroney Pelupessy, known for blending traditional Indonesian and Molukse dance with urban contemporary styles, focuses her work on identity, heritage, and collective memory. Her upcoming performance, Draagkracht, is scheduled to premiere at Podium Mozaïek in Amsterdam on October 23, 2026. The selection committee praised both artists for their distinctive contributions and commitment to challenging social norms through their respective practices.

Culture Amsterdam Netherlands

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Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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