The Ukrainian writer, poet and translator Yuri Andrukhovych will receive the Stefan Heym Prize of the City of Chemnitz 2026. The award is endowed with 20,000 euros. The prize is to be awarded on April 18, as announced by the city administration.
The board of trustees of the literary prize honored Andrukhovych as one of the most important literary and intellectual voices in Ukraine. His work is characterized by strong socio-political and critical traits. "He uses subtle humor as a weapon against dictators and some human stupidity."
Andrukhovych was born in Ukraine in 1960. He first became known for his experimental satirical poems. He later devoted himself more to prose and essay writing. He has already been honored with numerous prizes, including the Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding and the Heinrich Heine Prize of the City of Düsseldorf.
The Chemnitz Prize has been awarded since 2008. It commemorates the Chemnitz-born writer Stefan Heym (1913-2001). Previous winners include Amos Oz, Christoph Hein and Jenny Erpenbeck.
