Stefan Heym Prize for Slavenka Drakulić and Richard Swartz
15/10/2021The Croatian writer Slavenka Drakulić and the Swedish author Richard Swartz were awarded the City of Chemnitz’s International Stefan Heym Prize, endowed with 20,000 euros!
This award, presented every three years since 2008, bears the name of the Chemnitz-born writer Stefan Heym, considered one of the most important authors in German post-war history and the voice of opposition literature in the GDR. Furthermore, the prize is intended to honor “time-critical and courageous personalities who, like Stefan Heym, have made outstanding and lasting achievements as writers and/or publicists”.
Richard Swartz accepted the award in Chemnitz while Slavenka Drakulić connected via video call. Sven Schulze, Mayor of Chemnitz, stated: “Slavenka Drakulić and Richard Swartz are two publicists and writers who, like Stefan Heym, convince with their analytical sharpness and who deal with major European issues in their works.” Amoz Oz and Bora Ćosić are among the previous recipients of this esteemed award.