Marjane Satrapi, Princess of Asturias Laureate for Communication and Humanities has died

Marjane Satrapi, 2024 Princess of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities, has died.

The Jury agreed to grant her the Award for “an essential voice in the defence of human rights and freedom. Satrapi is a symbol of civic engagement led by women. Due to her audacity and artistic production, she is considered one of the most influential people in the dialogue between cultures and generations. The Award wishes to highlight Marjane Satrapi's talent for reinventing the relationships between art and communication, as in her graphic novel Persepolis, in which she exemplarily captures the search for a more just and inclusive world”, as the Minutes of the Jury state.

Chaired by Víctor García de la Concha, the Jury was composed of Luis María Anson Oliart, Rosa María Calaf Solé, Irene Cano Piquero, Gabriela Cañas Pita de la Vega, Concepción Cascajosa Virino, Adela Cortina Orts, Estrella de Diego Otero, Miguel Falomir Faus, Taciana Fisac Badell, Álex Grijelmo García, Alma Guillermoprieto, Miguel Ángel Liso Tejada, Catalina Luca de Tena y García-Conde, marquesa del Valle de Tena, Miguel Ángel Oliver Fernández, Enrique Pascual Pons, Carmen Riera i Guilera, Diana Sorensen  and Óscar Loureda Lamas (as acting secretary).

The Awards Ceremony, which took place on 25th October, was presided over by HM King Felipe VI. Besides the address by His Majesty, the speeches at the ceremony were given by HRH The Princess of Asturias, Marjane Satrapi, Joan Manuel Serrat, Michael Ignatieff, Ana Blandiana and the President of the Princess of Asturias Foundation, Ana I. Fernández.