Margriet van der Linden Wins 16th Sonja Barend Award: A Triumph of Interviewing Genius
Well, well, well! It seems that Margriet van der Linden has not just snagged a shiny trophy but has done so with the grace of a gazelle leaping through a field of daisies. She’s taken home the 16th Sonja Barend Award for her interview with none other than human rights lawyer Liesbeth Zegveld. Now, I don’t know about you, but when I think of award-winning interviews, I envision a tête-à-tête that’s not just a light chit-chat over tea but a deep dive into the abyss of human experience—complete with existential questions and perhaps a dash of awkward silence!
Jury’s Rave Review: Hours Fly By!
According to the professional jury (and let’s face it, the professional gossips), Margriet’s conversation was deemed the best TV interview of the last season. Annemart van Rhee exclaimed, “The hours fly by!” I mean, would you want your interview to feel like a dental appointment? I think not! She’s described as showcasing a completely different, unknown side of Zegveld. Hidden talents? Or just really good at sleuthing out the deep stuff?
Walter van der Kooi chimed in, “She is at her best and makes the guest flourish.” Flourish? Is this a garden party or an interview? I guess Margriet has turned the usual Q&A into something akin to a master class in making people feel good about themselves. Someone get her a cape; we may have a new superhero on our hands.
Deep Layers and Dynamic Differences
And then we have Femke van der Laan, who praises van der Linden for skillfully using what they share and where they differ to delve even deeper. You see, folks, it’s not just about the questions you ask; it’s about how you coax those intriguing details out of your guests like a magician pulling rabbits out of hats—or perhaps just a really persistent friend who won’t take “no” for an answer.
Nine Conversations, One Crown
To put things into perspective, this interview wasn’t the only contender for the award. Margriet was among nine stellar conversations—there was Cornald Maas with actor Saman Amani and Hanneke Groenteman with Pierre Bokma. I mean, they must have been serving some serious competition! “May the best interviewer win,” they must have said as they clinked their glasses in solidarity—or perhaps in trepidation!
The Emotional Win
Now, when Margriet was asked to reflect on her triumph, she expressed her belief that the interview with Zegveld brought together everything she has worked hard on over the years. “It comes at a precise moment when I realize that, based on all my experience, I can have a very relaxed conversation,” she said. Relaxed? Is this a chat over coffee or a high-stakes game of chess? Either way, what she’s saying is that her hard work has paid off—in spades, if I may add!
The Presentation
The prize was presented by none other than Sonja Barend herself in the TV program Bar Laat. And if that doesn’t add a touch of glitz and glamour, I don’t know what does! For those itching to read the juicy details, the complete jury report and information about this year’s edition is available on their official site: sonjabarendaward.nl. But wait, there’s more! Look out for the VARA guide, featuring the interview with Margriet, hitting the shelves this coming Tuesday. Grab it before it flies off the shelves—much like Margriet’s winning moment!
