The German bookseller’s peace prize was awarded Sunday to historian Karl Schlögel in a ceremony held at Frankfurt’s Paulskirche, recognizing his decades-long commitment to bridging cultural divides and fostering understanding across Eastern and Western Europe. The award, accompanied by a €25,000 prize, acknowledges Schlögel’s unique ability to blend meticulous historical research with personal observation, a method lauded as a “peaceful campaign” by Ukrainian-German author Katja Petrowskaja, who delivered the laudation.
Schlögel’s work, spanning four decades, has consistently sought to dismantle entrenched prejudices and illuminate the complexities of Central and Eastern Europe. He is credited with bringing cities like Kyiv, Odessa, Lviv and Kharkiv onto the maps of German readers, while portraying St. Petersburg and Moscow as integral European metropolises. The jury specifically highlighted his ability to connect factual reporting with emotional engagement, fostering curiosity and challenging preconceived notions.
Significantly, the recognition arrives at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. Following the 2014 annexation of Crimea, Schlögel emerged as a vital voice, directly confronting the blind spots within German perceptions of Ukraine and issuing early warnings about the aggressive expansionist policies and authoritarian nationalist ambitions of Vladimir Putin. This critical assessment, often at odds with prevailing narratives, positions the award as more than just a literary honor; it represents a tacit endorsement of independent intellectual inquiry and a pushback against complacency regarding Eastern European affairs.
The prize, awarded annually by the German Publishers and Booksellers Association since 1950, comes ahead of the Frankfurt Book Fair and serves as a poignant reminder of the crucial role intellectual engagement plays in mitigating conflict and promoting peaceful relations, particularly relevant given the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the broader reassessment of Europe’s security architecture. Some observers may interpret the award as a subtle critique of the German government’s historical hesitancy in addressing Putin’s actions, emphasizing the importance of independent voices in shaping informed public discourse.