EXHIBITIONS
Prijs Vrijzinnig Humanisme, submitted by the Humanistisch-Vrijzinnige Vereniging (HVV)
The Humanistisch-Vrijzinnige Vereniging (formerly the Humanistisch Verbond) has given the Prijs Vrijzinnig Humanisme (“Secular Humanism Award”) every two years since 1989. The celebration takes place on 21 June, the International Day of Humanism.
The award is given to people or organisations that demonstrate one or more of the following criteria: a special and powerful achievement that demonstrates a secular humanist commitment, a fascinating insight that is valuable for the further development of secular humanist thinking, a notable act of resistance to unitary or authoritarian thinking, or a long-term, consistently maintained attitude to life. The laureates symbolise the best aspects of secular humanism.
The prize consists of a statuette by sculptor Paul Baeteman, who himself was chairman of HVV province of East Flanders. The statuette can be found as a monument at the Geuzenhuis (Ghent), where the names of the laureates are chiselled in the pedestal. In addition, laureates receive a screen print or a lithograph.
Prospective laureates can be nominated by the board of directors, the provincial sections, the local departmental boards and the individual members of the Humanistisch-Vrijzinnige Vereniging. The jury consists of a committee of secular humanists chosen by the board of directors of the Humanistisch-Vrijzinnige Vereniging.