Award Ceremony Georg-Dehio-Culture Award 2026
The German Cultural Forum for Eastern Europe (Deutsches Kulturforum östliches Europa e. V.) in Potsdam will present the Georg Dehio Cultural Prize for the twelfth time in 2026. 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 a sponsorship prize worth €3,000.
The main prize is awarded to the journalist, non-fiction writer and film producer Herrmann 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’ (late repatriates) from the states of the former Soviet Union.
Programme
Welcome
Dr Nils Köhler, Foundation for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation, Berlin
Dr Harald Roth, Director of the German Cultural Forum for Eastern Europe, Potsdam
Opening remarks
Dr Lothar Müller, Head of the Democracy and Society Department at the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Berlin
Presentation of the awards
Dr Bernd Fabritius, Federal Government Commissioner for Ethnic German Resettlers and National Minorities, Berlin
Laudation for Hermann Pölking
Dr Rainer Rother, curator and film historian
Laudatory address for the Literary Circle of Germans from Russia
Eleonora Hummel, author
Afterwards, we invite you to a reception.
Musical entertainment
Pianist Maja Matijanec will perform pieces by Werner Richard Heymann and Alfred Schnittke.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Admission only after confirmed registration until 2 October.
RSVP at deutsches@kulturforum.info
Doors open: 6:30 p.m.
Language: German
FREE ADMISSION
REGISTRATION REQUIRED