Osman Kavala laureate of the Gilel Storch Award 2026

The Award Ceremony will be held on September 7 at Konserthuset Stockholm. Osman Kavala’s wife Ayse Bugra Kavala will receive 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.