Remembering an Influential Literary Figure
When the Leipzig writer Erich Loest passed away on 12 September 2013, the city lost a dedicated and critical mind who had maintained a unique literary and personal connection to his old and new home. Media Foundation of Sparkasse Leipzig also mourned the loss of one of its most important friends, supporters, and patrons. Erich Loest was a founding member of Media Foundation and served on its board of trustees for many years. During his lifetime, Loest stipulated that his literary estate should be preserved and maintained at the Villa Ida, headquarter of the Foundations of Sparkasse Leipzig, and made available to scholars for academic research.
Thus, it was both an honour and an obligation for Media Foundation to establish a literary prize in 2016, on what would have been Erich Loest's 90th birthday. The prize bears his name and commemorates this outstanding chronicler of German-German history, this influential literary figure, and this socially and politically astute thinker. The Erich Loest Prize honours authors who not only describe the social and political conditions in Germany, but also contribute to the democratic discourse with their voices. Furthermore, recipients should have ties to Central Germany. Winners are nominated and selected by a jury consisting primarily of journalists and literary scholars, in accordance with the prize guidelines. The prize is awarded every two years and is endowed with 10,000 euros.
Laureates
- Laureate 2026: Durs Grünbein
- Laureate 2025: Ronya Othmann
- Laureate 2023: Ines Geipel
- Laureate 2021: Ulrike Almut Sandig
- Laureate 2019: Hans Joachim Schädlich
- Laureate 2017: Guntram Vesper †
Erich Loest would have celebrated his 100th birthday on 24 February 2026. Media Foundation is taking this opportunity to award the Erich Loest Prize again in 2026. The recipient is the writer and "Georg Büchner Prize" winner Durs Grünbein. The laudatory speech will be given by former German President Joachim Gauck.