Heinrich Heine Prize

The Heinrich Heine Prize of the city of Dusseldorf is a Lent in honor of Heinrich Heine Culture Award. It was donated by the city of Dusseldorf on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of Heine. The award "is awarded to individuals who serve by their intellectual creation in the sense of the basic rights of the people for whom Heinrich Heine has used promote the social and political progress, international understanding or spread the knowledge of the unity of all people."

The Heine Prize was, starting in 1972, every three years, awarded every two years since 1981. The award of the Heine Prize 1995 has been postponed to 1996. Since then, the Heinrich Heine Prize is awarded every two years again. He was initially endowed with DM 25,000. 2000, the prize money has been set at 25,000 euros, 2006, the city Dusseldorf doubled the prize money to 50,000 euros.

Award winners

Scandal over the award in 2006

Under the proposed 2006 award, which was to be the highlight of the celebrations for the 150th year of death of Heinrich Heine, the jury decided to award the prize to Peter Handke. According to press reports, the City Council wanted to Dusseldorf this decision did not support the majority because of Handke's attitude to Slobodan Milošević and the Yugoslav wars. Handke had repeatedly called for a differentiated view of the person Milošević and the Balkan wars.

Two members of the jury, Sigrid Löffler and Jean -Pierre Lefebvre ( born 1943, from the École Normale Supérieure ), then announced their resignation. This should be understood as a protest against those jurors who would bring " baseless as reputation-damaging claims about the crowned in circulation".

Ahead of the crucial meeting of the Council Handke refused to receive the award from writing, because he "did not see again and again exposed to bullying such as such party politicians " wanted his person and his work.

There are different opinions on the correct interpretation of the letter of Peter Handke. From his letter to the mayor does not indicate that he declines the prize; rather, he only complains about his opinion impossible behavior ( " bullying " ) Düsseldorf politician and requests to waive a Council meeting or event with these. The Statute of the Heine Prize 2006 does not allow any withdrawal from the price, no cancellation of the sponsorship price. The official proclamation of the Mayor, Peter Handke was the winner of the Heine Prize 2006, was contradicted at any time by the city council or committees of the city of Dusseldorf. Since the Council of the city of Dusseldorf with the matter is not involved and has decided Peter Handke is still regarded as the winner of the Heine Prize 2006.

The actor Rolf Becker, Käthe Reichel and others have called the alternative Berlin Heinrich Heine Prize to life for Peter Handke. Also these rejected Peter Handke. After the scandal, the awarding of the prize was restructured and strengthened the power of decision of the 13 - member jury. The selection of the prizewinner shall henceforth be definitive.