WEF honors international artists as “bridge builders”
Published: Monday, Jan 15th 2024, 19:10
Back to Live Feed
Cultural celebrities in Davos GR: The World Economic Forum (WEF) kicked off on Monday evening by honoring Hollywood star Michelle Yeoh, musician Nile Rodgers and architect Diébédo Francis Kéré for their achievements.
The three winners of the Crystal Award would connect people and are therefore role models for all leaders in the world, the WEF announced.
Michelle Yeoh made history last year when she became the first Asian actress to win the Oscar for Best Actress in the film "Everything Everywhere All at Once", it was said. Through her work, Yeoh had created a strong female role that challenged traditional views of Asian women. Yeoh's achievements, for example as an ambassador for a United Nations development program, were also recognized at the ceremony.
Grammy winner and US musician Nile Rodgers has worked with artists such as David Bowie, Madonna, Daft Punk and Beyoncé. He received the award for his efforts to counteract racism, inequality and injustice with his music. The activist also founded an organization that promotes cultural diversity and encourages young people to change the world.
The Burkinabe-German architect Diébédo Francis Kéré was honored for his "exemplary leadership" in his projects in the village of Gando in Burkina Faso. Kéré has developed innovative construction strategies that combine traditional building techniques and materials with modern methods, wrote the WEF. In doing so, he has created a social, economic and ecological future for Gando.
The Crystal Award is presented every year to people who, among other things, develop visions for the world. Last year, it was the British actor Idris Elba ("Luther"), who campaigned for small farmers in Africa.
©Keystone/SDA
English 
German 
French 
Spanish 
Arabic