International Stefan Heym Prize of the City of Chemnitz
Programme for the award ceremony on 18 April 2026
6 pm
Musical prelude with Taras Tschubaj
Taras Chubay (born 1970 in Lviv) is a Ukrainian singer, composer and frontman of the band Plach Yeremiyi. His father was the well-known Ukrainian poet Hryhoriy Chubay. Through this literary environment, Taras developed a strong connection to poetry and music at an early age. Since the 1990s, he has combined rock music with Ukrainian poetry and has set numerous poems by important authors to music. His work is exemplary of the close connection between literature and music in contemporary Ukrainian culture.
This is also the case tonight, when he sets texts by the prizewinner to music. You can follow the translation into German on the screen.
Welcome by Lord Mayor Sven Schulze
Greeting from Dorothee Lücke
Dorothee Lücke is a pastor at the Evangelical Lutheran St Jakobi Kreuz parish in Chemnitz and has been involved in the city's church and social life for many years. As a theologian and co-organiser of the Evangelical Forum, she brings people from the church, culture and civil society into dialogue. In her work, she is particularly committed to dialogue, reconciliation and respectful exchange in a diverse urban society.
Musical contribution by Taras Tschubaj
Laudatory speech by Katharina Raabe
Katharina Raabe (born 1957 in Hamburg) is an editor for Eastern European literatures at Suhrkamp Verlag. She has been promoting literary voices from Central and Eastern Europe in German-speaking countries for many years and has worked with authors such as Yuri Andrukhovych, Serhiy Zhadan and Andrzej Stasiuk. She has received several awards for her work as a mediator of Eastern European literature, including the German Language Prize and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. In her laudatory speech today, she honoured the work of the prizewinner.
Award ceremony by Sven Schulze for Yuri Andrukhovych with inscription in the Golden Book of the City of Chemnitz
Words of thanks from the prizewinner
Reading by the prizewinner
Yuri Andrukhovych reads from his texts.
Musical contribution by Taras Tschubaj
Book signing with the prizewinner, stand-up reception in the foyer
8 pm
After-show party to kick off the 35th Days of Jewish Culture in Chemnitz
- Rope acrobatics by Tanya Borysenko
Tanya Borysenko combines music and aerial acrobatics to create a fascinating stage art. With great expressiveness and elegance, singing and acrobatic movement merge into an impressive, poetic performance.
- The Ukrainian musician, author and DJ Yuriy Gurzhy will provide the evening's musical entertainment
With his record collection, he takes the audience on a musical journey through the international klezmer scene and beyond. Born in Kharkiv, the artist has lived in Berlin for many years and is known for his numerous music and cultural projects. From 1999 to 2014, he organised the legendary "Russendisko" party series in the capital together with Wladimir Kaminer.
6 pm
Musical prelude with Taras Tschubaj
Taras Chubay (born 1970 in Lviv) is a Ukrainian singer, composer and frontman of the band Plach Yeremiyi. His father was the well-known Ukrainian poet Hryhoriy Chubay. Through this literary environment, Taras developed a strong connection to poetry and music at an early age. Since the 1990s, he has combined rock music with Ukrainian poetry and has set numerous poems by important authors to music. His work is exemplary of the close connection between literature and music in contemporary Ukrainian culture.
This is also the case tonight, when he sets texts by the prizewinner to music. You can follow the translation into German on the screen.
Welcome by Lord Mayor Sven Schulze
Greeting from Dorothee Lücke
Dorothee Lücke is a pastor at the Evangelical Lutheran St Jakobi Kreuz parish in Chemnitz and has been involved in the city's church and social life for many years. As a theologian and co-organiser of the Evangelical Forum, she brings people from the church, culture and civil society into dialogue. In her work, she is particularly committed to dialogue, reconciliation and respectful exchange in a diverse urban society.
Musical contribution by Taras Tschubaj
Laudatory speech by Katharina Raabe
Katharina Raabe (born 1957 in Hamburg) is an editor for Eastern European literatures at Suhrkamp Verlag. She has been promoting literary voices from Central and Eastern Europe in German-speaking countries for many years and has worked with authors such as Yuri Andrukhovych, Serhiy Zhadan and Andrzej Stasiuk. She has received several awards for her work as a mediator of Eastern European literature, including the German Language Prize and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. In her laudatory speech today, she honoured the work of the prizewinner.
CEREMONIAL PRESENTATION OF THE AWARD BY SVEN SCHULZE TO JURI ANDRUCHOWYTSCH
WITH INSCRIPTION IN THE GOLDEN BOOK OF THE CITY OF CHEMNITZ
Words of thanks from the prizewinner
Reading by the prizewinner
Yuri Andrukhovych reads from his texts.
Musical contribution by Taras Tschubaj
Book signing with the prizewinner, reception in the foyer
Aftershow party to kick off the 35th Days of Jewish Culture in Chemnitz
8 pm
- Rope acrobatics by Tanya Borysenko
Tanya Borysenko combines music and aerial acrobatics to create a fascinating stage art. With great expressiveness and elegance, singing and acrobatic movement merge into an impressive, poetic performance.
- The Ukrainian musician, author and DJ Yuriy Gurzhy will provide the evening's musical entertainment
With his record collection, he takes the audience on a musical journey through the international klezmer scene and beyond. Born in Kharkiv, the artist has lived in Berlin for many years and is known for his numerous music and cultural projects. From 1999 to 2014, he organised the legendary "Russendisko" party series in the capital together with Wladimir Kaminer.