Formal presentation of the 68th Bremen Literature Prize
The Bremen
Literature Prize was awarded to author Judith Hermann on Monday, January 24th. The Berlin-based writer received the award for her
novel "Daheim" (At Home). Matthias Senkel received the Emerging Writers' Prize for his collection of short stories,
"Winkel der Welt" (Corners of the World).
At the ceremony in Bremen's Upper Town Hall, State Secretary for Culture Carmen
Emigholz praised both books as outstanding works of fiction. "People who
read a lot of fiction intuitively recognize that this cultural practice, especially
in times of crisis, can be both a welcome relief and an enormous source of enrichment. Reading
transports us to other worlds, enhances our imagination, fosters
multi-perspective skills, promotes and demands different viewpoints
– and also sharpens critical thinking. Viewed in this light, reading is an act of
emancipation, of enlightenment, of culturally grounded personal development," said
the State Secretary for Culture.
Due to the pandemic, this year's award ceremony in the Upper Town Hall was
a small, private affair with invited guests only. Last year,
the award was presented to the winners virtually.