We present the third edition of the ESTE Laetitia Philanthropic Prize, named in honor of Laetitia d’Aremberg and dedicated to recognizing individuals who support and advance the arts in Uruguay. In this edition, the prize will be awarded to Edda Kofler. The award statuette was created by Uruguayan artist Julia Castagno.
The jury is composed of Laura Bardier (ESTE ARTE), Martín Castillo (Galería SUR), Silvia Arrozés (Galería del Paseo), and Renos Xippas (Xippas). Pavilion VIK, José Ignacio.
In Spanish, without translation.
By invitation only.
Edda Kofler Kernmayer. Born and raised in Vienna, Austria, from a very young age I was interested in everything out of the ordinary. I played with Matchbox cars rather than dolls. Happily married for 35 years to Robert, I am the proud mother of two wonderful daughters and an amazing granddaughter. After finishing high school, I studied in Paris (MBA), having had a close connection to France since my childhood vacation days on the Côte d’Azur. My daughter Koko’s love for horses brought us back to Argentina after our first trip to South America in 2001, where we spent New Year’s Eve in Uruguay—and this is when I secretly fell in love with José Ignacio. I am a very restless person, driven by two forces: my passion for details and my curiosity. This is strongly reflected in my professional path, which has spanned from banking (risk management and investment banking) to psychotherapy (specializing in eating disorders and female empowerment), and later to project management in the hospitality business, ultimately leading to the creation of our own project here in José Ignacio. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs where female voices have traditionally been the driving force behind ever-changing home interiors shaped by the latest trends, creativity was always present in my life. This came with the freedom to express my own style—both through clothing and in the design of my personal spaces. While my expressions were often rebellious, they were always grounded in a deep respect for the environment and genuine care for the people around me. Growing up surrounded by classical paintings, I was naturally drawn to abstract and modern art. In the 1990s, through encounters with artists in Vienna, I learned that art needed to speak to me: once a work invited me into a conversation, I was captivated. This conversational approach to art later led to a deep appreciation for sculpture and more conceptual practices—works that engage the viewer in ways that can alter one’s perception of oneself and of the world. Art that interrupts routine, dissolves familiar patterns, and opens space for new perspectives. I firmly believe that growth only happens through sharing. This belief has guided my mission to introduce young Uruguayan artists to our international guests, while also bringing Austrian artists to José Ignacio.
Laetitia d’Arenberg. Born in 1941 in Lebanon amid the turmoil of World War II, Laetitia d’Arenberg’s life was shaped early on by displacement, resilience, and commitment. After losing her father in the war, she grew up between Europe and Uruguay, where her family settled permanently in 1950, making Punta del Este their home. Educated with a strong sense of duty and social responsibility, she devoted her life to work, the countryside, and its people, transforming her estates into benchmarks for livestock improvement and horse breeding, particularly world-champion Arabians. Alongside this, she sustained an extensive philanthropic commitment spanning the arts, education, animal welfare, healthcare, environmental causes, and social inclusion, embodying a life defined by action, generosity, and a profound vocation for service.
Julia Castagno. Since 1999, she has developed her work across different media. She studied in the workshops of A. Spósito, L. Duarte, and F. López Lage.
She has received several awards and has been invited to participate in various Biennials.