Osman Kavala Receives Goethe Medal Amidst Imprisonment in Turkey
Medal of Honor Bestowed Upon Detained Turkish Cultural Advocate - Imprisoned Turkish cultural advocates receive the Goethe Medal
Locked up since 2017, Osman Kavala is still making waves, earning the Goethe Medal from the Federal Republic of Germany. Despite his ongoing detention in Turkey, the Goethe-Institute celebrates his contributions to peace and reconciliation efforts, particularly in Istanbul.
Alongside Kavala, academic Li Yuan from China and David Van Reybrouck, a Belgian author, will receive this official honorary insignia during an August 28 ceremony in Weimar, Germany.
A World Under Threat
Gesche Joost, President of the Goethe-Institute in Berlin, expressed grave concerns about the escalating pressure on democratic values worldwide. In this critical time, cultural understanding and change-makers like the honorees are vital, Joost stressed. Thomas Oberender, chairman of the award commission, dubbed the recipients as "quiet revolutionaries."
Kavala's Unyielding Advocacy
Known for his steadfast commitment to human rights, Kavala founded the Anadolu Kultur organization in Istanbul in 2002. The group's projects focus on strengthening human rights, art, and culture. Kavala's unjust imprisonment since 2017 has not silenced his voice, even as international criticism mounts against the charges against him. In 2022, a court found him guilty of plotting a coup in relation to the Gezi protests.
A German Influence in China
Li Yuan, a Chinese linguist, impressed the selection committee with her dedication to German language education in China. Her work has significantly impacted the curriculum and teaching practice at Chinese schools and universities, broadening the horizons of Chinese students.
Tales of the Unheard
The Goethe-Institute commends David Van Reybrouck for his compelling works that offer perspectives often overlooked in the West-dominated narrative of history. His novels on South Africa, the Congo, and Indonesia provide invaluable insights into untold stories from around the globe.
Embracing Oral Histories
In his writing, Van Reybrouck uses the oral history method, traveling far and wide to hear tales from the elderly, remote villages, and mountain regions of Nepal. His book, "Revolusi - Indonesia and the Birth of the Modern World," is a testament to this unique approach.
The Goethe Medal's Legacy
Established in 1951, the Goethe Medal is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. For the first time, the award ceremony will be held publicly in Weimar on August 28, marking the birthday of renowned poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Notable recipients of the Goethe Medal include conductor Daniel Barenboim and British author Ian McEwan.
- Osman Kavala
- Goethe-Institute
- Turkey
- Federal Republic of Germany
- Berlin
- Weimar
- Istanbul
- Germany
- China
- Democracy
- Gesche Joost
[1] Goethe-Institut, "Goethe Medal 2025: Award Categories and Criteria." [2] Deutsche Welle, "Osman Kavala: Turkey's Unjustifiably Imprisoned Cultural Leader." [3] Amnesty International, "Turkey: Osman Kavala's Imprisonment a Troubling Indicator of Authorities' Disregard for Human Rights." [4] The New Yorker, "In Turkey, the Prisoner Who Would Not Stop Working on Peace." [5] The Guardian, "Osman Kavala: Why Turkey's Civil Society Icon Is Still in Prison."
- Despite his ongoing imprisonment in Turkey, Osman Kavala, the recipient of the Goethe Medal from the Federal Republic of Germany, has been recognized for his contributions to peace and reconciliation efforts, particularly in Istanbul.
- Gesche Joost, President of the Goethe-Institute in Berlin, expressed grave concerns about the escalating pressure on democratic values worldwide.
- Known for his steadfast commitment to human rights, Osman Kavala, the founder of the Anadolu Kultur organization in Istanbul in 2002, has not been silenced by his unjust imprisonment since 2017.
- The Goethe-Institute commends David Van Reybrouck for his compelling works that offer perspectives often overlooked in the West-dominated narrative of history.
- For the first time, the Goethe Medal award ceremony will be held publicly in Weimar on August 28, marking the birthday of renowned poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and notable recipients include Daniel Barenboim and Ian McEwan.
