Osman Kavala laureate of the Gilel Storch Award 2026

The Award Ceremony was held on September 7 at Konserthuset Stockholm. Osman Kavala’s wife, Ayse Bugra Kavala, received the award on his behalf.

Mehmet Osman Kavala (b.1957) is the founder and chair of the board of Anadolu Kültür, an Istanbul-based nonprofit arts and culture organization. He has played an eminent part in Turkish civil society and cultural life. His contributions to common European cultural initiatives were important in building bridges accross societies and people through shared cultural activities. Through Anadolu Kultur he has paved the way for a much needed rapprochement between his country and her neighbours. He stands out as an advocate of the values of a universal humanism and democracy.

On 25 April 2022, a court sentenced him to life imprisonment on criminal charges which were found unsubstantiated by the European Court of Human Rights in its two decisions on the case.

”Osman Kavala tilldelas Gilel Storch Award” – Svenska Dagbladet

”Böckerna har räddat oss – jag vet inte hur vi skulle överlevt” – Dagens Nyheter

”Jag förbjuder nästan mig själv att hoppas” – Svenska Dagbladet

”En demokrati som låst in sig i envälde” – Svenska Dagbladet

”Osman Kavala’ya Bir Büyük Ödül Daha: “Onun Durumu Hem Akıldışı, Hem de Bir Trajedidir”” – Yavuz Baydar (Substack)