Jef Van gestel and Cheroney Pelupessy win Gieskes-Strijbis Podium Prize 2026

The tenth edition of the Gieskes-Strijbis Stage Prize, the largest stage prize in the Netherlands, goes to the Belgian theatre maker and artist Jef Van Gestel and choreographer and dancer Cheroney Pelupessy. The prize is awarded annually to two creators who contribute to the diversity of the performing arts in the Netherlands. The jury praises Van Gestel's performances because he "plays the border area between theatre, performance, visual arts and object theatre".