Bremen Literature Prize awarded
The writer Thomas Stangl was
awarded the Bremen Literature Prize on Monday, January 23. The Viennese author received the award for his novel
"Quecksilberlicht" (Quicksilver Light). Martin Kordić received the Emerging Writers' Prize for his novel "Jahre mit Martha" (Years with Martha)
.
Dr. Lothar Müller, chairman of the jury, noted approvingly in his laudatory speech
on Stangl's novel: "To tell a story like Thomas Stangl, with so much freedom for the
imagination, about oneself and one's own world of origin, about books and the
language of literature, about the all-powerful Chinese emperor powerless against death
, about the Brontë sisters and their fictional shadows, is no small
art."
At the ceremony in the Upper Town Hall, Bremen's Senator for Culture, Mayor
Dr. Andreas Bovenschulte, praised the high standing and positive development of
literature in Bremen's cultural life: "The awarding of the Bremen Literature Prize connects
Bremen's Town Hall directly and annually with outstanding literature
. This prestigious award is being presented for the 69th time today, three
days before the 145th birthday of the Bremen poet Rudolf Alexander Schröder, the
prize's patron."
This year, the awards ceremony was once again open to all interested parties.
Due to the pandemic, last year's celebration had to be a small-scale affair.
In 2021, the awards were presented to the winners virtually.
Photo: From left: Michael Sieber, Thomas Stangl, Dr. Andreas Bovenschulte, Martin
Kordić, Barbara Lison, Dr. Lothar Müller. Copyright: Victor Ströver