The Prince Claus Award 2020, an international recognition, honouring outstanding achievements in the field of culture and development, was presented to the Dowager Lady Tuna Fielakepa tonight, at a special ceremony held in Nuku'alofa.

HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita, presented the award at the Tonga National Cultural Centre, at an event hosted by the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The annual awards are usually presented in the Grand Hall of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, by HRH Prince Constantijn, the honorary chair of the board of the Prince Claus Fund, but travel was not possible this year due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions.

The Honorary Consul Mrs Petunia Tupou KC, said that 83 nominations had been submitted from around the world. Forty five were short-listed. “Only seven laureates were selected based on their inspirational leadership, and this is the first laureate for the Pacific islands,” she said.

“Tonga is proud to be home to one of the Prince Claus laureates, and although they should have travelled, we are happy to celebrate this achievement here in Tonga, with our guests, family and friends,” she said.

Tunakaimanu Fielakepa is honoured for her immense contribution to the ongoing vitality of women’s textile arts, demonstrating that koloa is a living cultural form and an integral part of Tongan culture.

The awards are supported by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ambassador HE Mrs Mira Woldberg in Wellington, sent a video message to Tonga for the event.

See also:

Tongan Laureate Tunakaimanu Fielakepa honoured with prestigious Prince Claus Award [2]