Now that the COVID-19 scare has spread all over Asia, the FUKUOKA Prize is more relevant than ever because it shows us how precious and necessary art and culture are to our societies. 

The impact of the health regulations on the arts and culture is unprecedented. Right now most performance artists cannot perform live in front of public audiences and what is more, many  have lost their income. 

Restriction of larger political meetings or demonstrations because of the enforced regulations also endanger our rights of public expression and actually provoke all kinds of conspiratorial theories on internet. Academic presence of mind is more relevant than ever. 

Therefore I am happy that the Fukuoka prize committee has decided to look back at the 30 year history of the project. In this way the various contributions of the past prize winners to the arts and cultures of Asia are shown, and will hopefully inspire others to follow in their footsteps. Only the arts and science can help us overcome the present situation of isolation and solitude.