Sad Loss of Belgium's Henri Ingberg

IFACCA, 20 March 2008

We are saddened to learn, belatedly, of the death of Henri Ingberg, Secretary General of Ministère de la Communauté française de Belgique, Cabinet de la Culture, and founding member of IFACCA.

Since 2000, Mr Ingberg has been a strong supporter of the Federation, providing a letter of recommendation for its establishment, which was presented to delegates at the first World Summit on Arts and Culture in Ottawa, Canada.  The Executive Director, Sarah Gardner, met with Mr Ingberg in May 2005 in Brussels (see below).

Mr Ingberg was a doctor of law, and held a degree in theatrical studies. He was a Professor of Management of Cultural Institutions at the Université Catholique de Louvain, and was President of the Committee for Cultural Affairs and the Audiovisual Group entrusted with the preparations of resolutions for the Ministers Council during the Belgian Presidency of the European Union.

At the time of his death, Marie Arena, Minister-President of the Community, said the following of Mr Ingberg (translated) : At all times, Henri Ingberg put all his effort and determination into the service of developing and stimulating the Community's institutions

Philippe Suinen, Commissioner-General Director of International Relations of the Walloon Region and the French Community, said '[h]e was a permanent example of dynamism, of a tenacious belief in all the human values and rights, whether culture, education or the protection and fostering of childhood, youth' .

Following his death, the 'Henri Ingberg Prize' (Prix Henri Ingberg), was created to be awarded  annually to a representative of Francophone cinema in Belgium at the time of one of the large festivals supported by the French Community. The prize was first awarded at Le Festival International du Film d'Amour de Mons, in February 2008, to the Director Joachim Lafosse.

Mr Ingberg passed away on the 14 October 2007, at the age of 62. IFACCA sends its condolences to his family and colleagues.

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