St. Gallen Art Prize for Priya Ragu
This year's St.Gallen Cultural Foundation Art Prize goes to the musician Priya Ragu. A recognition prize is awarded to the cultural journalist Peter Surber.
The singer from the city of St.Gallen has long been known to insiders. Ragu inspires "with a mix of rhythm and blues, soul, hip-hop and traditional Tamil music", writes the canton of St. Gallen. In 2021, she played at the Montreux Jazz Festival and performed at the Open Air St.Gallen. According to Ragu, her songs are about challenging stereotypes that Sri Lankan people are essentially all cooks, cleaners or salespeople. People who are looked down upon. People who are rarely envied or desired. She is proud of who she is. And her music celebrates that.
Peter Surber has been "the epitome of a cultural journalist" in the canton of St.Gallen and its neighboring cantons for four decades, the canton writes further. With "precise, honest and well-founded reviews, commentaries and interventions", he has made significant contributions to cultural life.
The St.Gallen Cultural Foundation has revised and redesigned its foundation regulations and its awarding of prizes. The sponsorship prizes are now awarded annually according to pre-selected categories. The culture prize is now called the art prize, is endowed with CHF 25,000 and still honors special achievements by artists from all disciplines.
Original article:
Art and Recognition Award for Priya Ragu and Peter Surber
