Radio play: "Günter Eich Prize" goes to Jürgen Becker

Leipzig, 7 November, 2012. The Media Foundation of Sparkasse Leipzig awards the "Günter Eich Prize" 2013 to radio play author Jürgen Becker. The Prize is endowed with 10.000 Euros.

"Jürgen Becker is one of the most renowned German radio play authors. If the 'Günter Eich Prize' would be awarded annually and not in a two-year alternation with the 'Axel Eggebrecht Prize' - Jürgen Becker would already be a laureate.", said Stephan Seeger, Director of the Foundation.

The Cologne-based writer Jürgen Becker (born 1932) is one of the most influential literary voices of German radio play who has significantly influenced the radio art with his numerous radio works which arose from 1969 until present. If Günter Eich is known for a specific "Eich sound", then you could also speak of a "Becker sound". By listening to the places and landscapes in which he lived, he became a historiographer of proximity. Thanks to Becker’s accuracy and his own "language music" the seemingly long familiar everyday life becomes a radiophonic echo chamber in which collective history can be experienced in a new and concrete manner. Not least, the reunion with his East German places of childhood changed him into a poetic chronicler of German Reunification during the last two decades.

The jury had to deal with a strong field of competitors. Several broadcasters and associations had proposed 18 candidates.

The award ceremony of the "Günter Eich Prize" will take place on Thursday, 31 January, 2013 at 6 p.m. ("Media Campus Villa Ida" Leipzig, Poetenweg 28, D-04155 Leipzig).

Announced for the fourth time by the Media Foundation of Sparkasse Leipzig, the "Günter Eich Prize" is addressed at authors who have devoted an oeuvre of formal and substantive expertise to the genre radio play. It is awarded in annual alternation with the "Axel Eggebrecht Prize" for radio feature.