The new “MORTIER Next Generation” was awarded to Krystian Lada on the evening of Saturday, February 12, 2019 in Gent.

The price was awarded by Serge Dorny (Opéra de Lyon), Albrecht Thiemann (Opernwelt/Berlin) and Heinz Weyringer (Ring Award/Graz). Gratulating the winner were Mr. Sven Gatz, Minister of Arts, Media and Youth of the Flanders regional government. The laudatory speech was given by Jan Vandenhouwe, future artistic director of Opera Vlaanderen (fragment of the laudatio):

“I met Krystian when he was working as a Director of Dramaturgy and Communication at La Monnaie in Brussels. In that capacity, he laid important groundwork around themes such as inclusion and empowerment. Krystian believes that opera – as an art form and as an institution – can be a vital engine for inclusive evolution in society. Driven by that conviction, he later founded The Airport Society. This Brussels-based cooperative of opera artists and social game-changers initiates projects at the intersection of opera, activism and social engagement. (…) 

Krystian, our conversations on theatre and opera have certainly informed the way I’m shaping my first seasons at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen. Your concern with feminist and post-colonial perspectives on classical repertoire, and your efforts to develop new intersectional platforms for exchange in poly-cultural communities are an inspiration. I look forward to our future collaborations, and I hope that this award will allow you to pursue and deepen your artistic explorations. Judging from the buzz around your name all over Europe, I have no doubt that there are plenty of exciting adventures ahead.”