Lower Saxony Literature Prize awarded to Zaimoğlu - Lower Saxony State Literature Award granted to author Zaimoglu
Writer Feridun Zaimoglu has been awarded the Lower Saxony Walter-Kempowski Prize for biographical literature, a prestigious accolade worth 20,000 euros. The jury commended Zaimoglu for his powerful prose, which has significantly influenced contemporary literature.
Born in Bolu, Turkey, Zaimoglu now resides in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein. In a statement, the 60-year-old writer expressed his delight at receiving the honor, noting that his literature is rooted in his personal experiences and those of others. Zaimoglu sees similarities with Kempowski, whose work he admires greatly.
Zaimoglu's debut, "Kanak Sprak," is considered a staple in German literature. His latest novel, "Sohn ohne Vater," narrates a writer's journey to Turkey for his father's funeral. A reading tour through Lower Saxony's literary houses is planned.
The Walter-Kempowski Prize for biographical literature is presented every two years, alternating with the Nicolas-Born Prize. The award ceremony will take place on September 30 in Hannover, preceded by a reading tour through Lower Saxony's literary houses.
Lower Saxony's Minister of Culture, Falko Mohrs (SPD), applauded Zaimoglu for frequently focusing on marginalized groups in his work and offering a potent voice to the overlooked. Zaimoglu's literature enriches our perspective, integrating the unfamiliar into our shared history.
Born in 1964, Zaimoglu arrived in Germany as a child and has since become a prominent figure in German literature, particularly among voices of migrant and second-generation experience. His oeuvre is characterized by a unique style that often combines German, Turkish, and street slang, developing language and narrative forms that have inspired a new generation of writers.
Influential works such as "Kanak Sprak" have challenged stereotypes, given voice to marginalized communities, and broadened the German literary canon to include more diverse voices and themes. Zaimoglu's impact on contemporary German literature is significant, particularly in the emergence of "post-migrant" literature, a movement that critically examines issues of migration, integration, and multiculturalism.
Feridun Zaimoglu's employment policy, as observed in his literature, frequently focuses on marginalized groups, offering a powerful voice to the overlooked, much like the books he admires from Lower Saxony Walter-Kempowski. In his latest novel, "Sohn ohne Vater," Zaimoglu ventures into entertainment, narrating a personal journey that enriches our shared history and perspective.
