2026 Georg Dehio Cultural Award Ceremony

This award, funded by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, honours individuals and initiatives that engage with the traditions and interplay of German culture and history in Eastern Europe in an exemplary manner – preserving them, looking to the future and fostering dialogue based on partnership.

The Georg Dehio Cultural Prize comprises a main prize worth €7,000 and an encouragement prize worth €3,000.

The main prize is awarded to the journalist, non-fiction writer and film producer Herrmann Pölking Pölking for his cinematic portrayal of the history of East Prussia.

The Encouragement Prize honours the Literaturkreis der Deutschen aus Russland e. V. for its commitment, spanning more than 30 years, to writers who came to Germany as ‘Spätaussiedler’ from the states of the former Soviet Union.

Programme:

Welcome

• Dr Nils Köhler, Foundation for Flight, Expulsion and Reconciliation
• Dr Harald Roth, Director of the German Cultural Forum for Eastern Europe

Opening remarks

Dr Lothar Müller, Head of the Democracy and Society Department at the Federal Ministry of the Interior

Presentation of the awards

Laudation for Hermann Pölking

• Dr Rainer Rother, curator and film historian
• Laudatory address for the Literary Circle of Germans from Russia
• Eleonora Hummel, author

Musical accompaniment

Pianist Maja Matijanec will perform pieces by Werner Richard Heymann and Alfred Schnittke.

A reception will follow

FURTHER INFORMATION

Participation is subject to confirmed registration by 2 October 2026

Register at deutsches@kulturforum.info

Doors open: 6.30 pm

Language: German

FREE ENTRY