Actor Samuel Koch Receives the Erich Kästner Prize

Actor Samuel Koch (38) has received the Erich Kästner Prize from the Dresden Press Club, which comes with a cash award of 10,000 euros. He accepted the award at Albrechtsberg Castle, according to a statement from the club. The award winner is donating the money to artistic, cultural, or charitable projects.

The honor recognized Koch’s commitment to fostering respectful coexistence between people with and without disabilities. The Press Club explained that Koch’s courage inspires people facing difficult life situations. Through his commitment to accessibility and his advocacy for humanity and tolerance, Koch embodies precisely the values that the Kästner Prize honors. 

Koch advocates for accessibility in the arts, culture, and leisure

Koch has been paraplegic since an accident on the ZDF show “Wetten, dass ..?” in 2010. Nevertheless, he completed his acting studies in 2014 with a diploma and is successfully pursuing his career. Through the association “Samuel Koch and Friends,” he has been advocating for accessibility in the arts, culture, and leisure since 2019 and also supports people who assist others in times of need.

The Dresden Press Club was founded in 1991 by journalists, press spokespeople, and PR professionals as a platform for discussion and the exchange of experiences. Recipients of the Erich Kästner Prize include, among others, Joachim Gauck, Peter Maffay, Iris Berben, and the organization Doctors Without Borders.