Regensburg's 2025 Culture Prize is awarded to photographer Stefan Hanke, marking three cultural accolades given out.
In the picturesque Bavarian city of Regensburg, the arts scene is thriving. Two local artists, Stefan Hanke and Koloman Wagner, and visual artist Lena Schabus, hailing from nearby Hutthurm, have been making waves in the world of art.
Stefan Hanke, a photographer born in 1961, has a rich and esteemed career. His notable project, "Survivors of Concentration Camps," consists of over 120 portraits of Holocaust survivors. Hanke's work has been honoured with significant awards, including the Bavarian Photography Prize (1987) and the Kodak Photography Book Prize (1988). In 2017, he was honoured with the Wilhelm Hausenstein Award by the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts. Despite our efforts, specific information regarding his awards, exhibitions, or artistic influences in the Upper Palatinate region remains elusive.
Koloman Wagner, born in 1992, is an Austrian artist who has found success by combining physics, music, dance, sculpture, and algorithmics in his art. Wagner's works have been showcased at prestigious venues such as the Vasarely Museum Budapest, Nord Art, and the London Art Biennale, among others. In Regensburg, Wagner is regularly represented in local exhibitions and acts as a lecturer and jury member for the promotion of contemporary art. In a recent turn of events, Wagner was awarded the U-40 Art Prize by the Art and Craft Association Regensburg in 2023.
Lena Schabus, born in 1990, is being honoured for her work in photography and digital image composition. Her works address current issues such as the climate crisis, digitization, and mass tourism, depicting dystopian scenarios of real places. Schabus' unique style has earned her recognition both locally and internationally.
The arts in Regensburg are not limited to individual artists. The association Campus Regensburg e.V., founded in 2008, plays a significant role in the cultural landscape of the city. The association organises the annual Campus Festival, which attracts over 10,000 visitors on a voluntary basis. The festival offers music stages with a focus on talent promotion, a culture stage, workshops, sports activities, and information stands, making it one of the largest self-organized student events in Germany. In recognition of its long-standing work in the cultural and social sphere, the association is being honoured with the Kulturförderpreis 2025.
The arts in Regensburg continue to flourish, with artists like Hanke, Wagner, and Schabus contributing significantly to the city's vibrant cultural scene. For those interested in learning more about these artists or the arts in the Upper Palatinate region, resources such as art catalogs, regional cultural directories, and exhibition records may provide valuable insights.
Television can be an effective platform to showcase the works of artists like Stefan Hanke, Koloman Wagner, and Lena Schabus, promoting entertainment and education about their art. For instance, documentaries or interviews about their careers, their creative processes, and their contributions to the vibrant arts scene in Regensburg could engage a wider audience.
