“Glass of Reason”
Carolin Emcke receives Kassel Citizens’ Prize
Carolin Emcke is known as a war reporter, essayist and literary philosopher. photo
© Mohssen Assanimoghaddam/dpa
Carolin Emcke will be honored in Kassel for “how she strengthens the backbone of democracy with analytical clarity and gives space to empathy as an artist of pause.”
“She is looking for a language that can counter hate and violence, that opens up space for understanding and recognition,” said Wilfried Sommer, chairman of the Society of Friends and sponsor of the prize. Emcke, who is known as a war reporter, essayist and literary philosopher, appeals to every single person to combine empathy and reason. Emcke is being honored for “how she strengthens the backbone of democracy with analytical clarity and gives space to empathy as an artist of pause.”
The award, worth 20,000 euros, will be presented to the 56-year-old in September in Kassel. “The Glass of Reason” was founded as an award by the citizens of Kassel in 1990. It is awarded to people who have made a special contribution to enlightenment, reason and tolerance. The award winners include, for example, the whistleblower Edward Snowden and the former Federal President Joachim Gauck.