With confinements clamping down on communities across the world, the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders was determined to transcend the pandemic and offer our audience a new online experience. This year, leading Genevan artists will join our celebration of Finalists to the Award Loujain AlHathloul, Soltan Achilova and Yu Wensheng. Through their pens, voices, and movement, they pay tribute to these outstanding human rights defenders. Join us for an unforgettable evening on 11 February 2021 at 6pm UTC+1!

Cartooning for Soltan

As a champion of press freedom and freedom of speech, world-renowned Swiss-lebanese cartoonist Patrick Chappatte will dedicate his performance of a drawing to reporter Soltan Achilova from Turkmenistan.

Cartoonist and Board Member of the Martin Ennals Foundation Patrick Chappatte

Patrick Chappatte contributed to the New York Times and the International Herald Tribune for 20 years and collaborates with newspapers such as the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Le Temps and Der Spiegel. This year, he joins the Martin Ennals Foundation as a Board Member.

Dancing for Loujain

For over 40 years, the Ballet Junior de Genève has trained up-and-coming dancers in the spirit of their famous founder, choreographer George Balanchine.

MOVING, STILL by Cathy Marston © Gregory Batardon

The performance from Cathy Marston’s choreography Moving, Still offers the hope of freedom and release from unjust imprisonment for the women’s rights pioneer and leading activist from Saudi Arabia Loujain Alhathloul.

Singing for Yu Wensheng

Singer, pianist, producer, songwriter: Gaspard Sommer does it all! As producer and musician of Swiss singers Danitsa and Flèche Love, the Genevan artist is pioneering the new Swiss art scene. Gaspard will dedicate a love song to Yu Wensheng and his family.

Musician and composer Gaspard Sommer © Nadia Tarra

We would like to express our gratitude to these artists for their exceptional contributions. We can’t wait to celebrate and honor the Martin Ennals Finalists 2021 on February 11!

Register here for the Ceremony: http://ow.ly/hcus50Dp7Cc