Igor Levit receives the German National Prize for his commitment against anti-Semitism and for democracy. The jury honored him as “one of the most important voices of Jews in Germany.”
The pianist Igor Levit will receive the German National Prize 2024, worth 30,000 euros. This honors his determined commitment to combating anti-Semitism and “his great political and social commitment,” said the awarding German National Foundation in Hamburg.
Igor Levit is an important musician and a highly committed citizen for many years. “In addition, he is one of the most important voices of Jews in Germany,” said the jury chairman and CEO of the German National Foundation, Thomas Mirow. The honor is intended to express that Jews are a valued and indispensable part of the German nation.
Continue with commitment
According to the foundation, Levit thanked him for the award. It is an obligation for him to continue his commitment. A democracy in which minorities such as Jews no longer feel safe and leave the country is no longer a democracy. “It is up to all of us to ensure that we protect and strengthen our common democratic home,” said the pianist.
Levit was born in the Soviet Union in 1987. When he was eight, his Jewish family moved to Hanover. The pianist gives concerts around the world and has been professor of piano at the Hanover University of Music since 2019. With statements on social media and concerts, he repeatedly positions himself against extremism, for human dignity, climate protection and, most recently, solidarity with Ukraine.
Igor Levit was honored for his determined work against anti-Semitism.
Funding award for interreligious daycare centers
The National Foundation is also honoring the Three Religions Daycare Center in Berlin with a sponsorship award of 20,000 euros. “With a Jewish, a Muslim and a Christian daycare center under one roof, this interreligious project creates an environment in which the interaction of different religions and cultures is experienced as normal from early childhood,” is the reasoning.
Both prizes will be presented on June 7th in the French Friedrichstadtkirche in Berlin.