Lower Saxony Literature Prize Awarded to Zaimoglu - Lower Saxony awards State Prize for Literature to Zaimoglu
German author Feridun Zaimoglu has been honoured with the Lower Saxony Walter-Kempowski Prize for biographical literature, worth 20,000 euros. The prestigious award recognizes Zaimoglu's powerful writing style, which has brought a unique tone to contemporary literature.
Born in Bolu, Turkey, Zaimoglu currently resides in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein. In a statement, the 60-year-old author expressed his delight at receiving the award, stating that his literary foundation draws from his personal experiences and the lives of others. He acknowledged a parallel between his work and that of Walter Kempowski, whose work he greatly admires.
Zaimoglu's debut work, "Kanak Sprak", is widely regarded as a classic of German literature. His latest novel, "Sohn ohne Vater", recounts a writer's journey to Turkey for his father's funeral. To celebrate his victory, a reading tour through Lower Saxony's literary houses is planned.
Established in Lower Saxony, the Walter-Kempowski Prize for biographical literature is awarded every two years, alternating with the Nicolas-Born Prize. The award, to be presented on September 30 in Hannover, is accompanied by a reading tour through Lower Saxony's literary houses.
Lower Saxony's Minister of Culture, Falko Mohrs (SPD), praised Zaimoglu for giving voice to marginalized groups and broadening perspectives in his work. Walter Kempowski, the namesake of the prize, was a prominent German author known for his biographical and documentary literature. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 78.
Kempowski's legacy lives on in his works, which combined personal history with historical events. His home in the village of Nartum, between Bremen and Hamburg, served as a meeting place for young authors, and he also worked as a lecturer at the University of Oldenburg.
- Feridun Zaimoglu's literary foundation, deeply rooted in his personal experiences and those of others, mirrors the engaging and impactful style exhibited in Walther Kempowski's education-and-self-development and biographical works, providing a unique perspective in contemporary lifestyle and entertainment.
- As Zaimoglu embarks on a reading tour through Lower Saxony's literary houses to celebrate his Walter-Kempowski Prize victory, one can imagine the next generation of authors being inspired by his community policy and elective experiences, much like Kempowski's students at the University of Oldenburg.
