12th Chemnitz Peace Prize awarded
Citizens' initiative Aktion C is the 2015 Peace Prize winner
70 years after the bombing of the city during the Second World War, a civic project that draws attention to Peace Day in Chemnitz in a special way has been awarded the Chemnitz Peace Prize. On Wednesday, the prize was presented to the citizens' initiative Aktion C, in which Chemnitz schoolchildren have already designed 1000 metres of highly visible banners, banners and flags on the subject of peace. The peace banners will be hanging on Chemnitz City Hall and other buildings in the city shortly before 5 March. Christoph Magirius, honorary citizen of the city of Chemnitz and one of the 15 jury members, praised the diverse artistic commitment far beyond the Chemnitz Peace Day.
The FUER CHEMNITZ citizens' association had invited guests to the award ceremony in the City Council Chamber of Chemnitz Town Hall. Mayor Miko Runkel spoke at the award ceremony. The programme was accompanied by music from the "Strike" band from the municipal music school.
Further prize winners
Second place went to the "Save Me" project, a sponsorship programme that provides support and assistance to families and individuals. More than 100 people from Chemnitz have taken on such a sponsorship. The commitment is supported by numerous campaigns such as a bicycle campaign, benefit concert, vigils and film evenings. "Save Me" takes asylum seekers and refugees away from statistical anonymity and brings people together.
Sebastian Braun was awarded third place. The 28-year-old chef intervened courageously when he saw that a young immigrant was being attacked by thugs. They ambushed him days later and injured him so badly that he had to go to hospital. "Nevertheless," says Sebastian Braun, "I would intervene again at any time."
No prize of honour was awarded in 2015
For the first time, the first three prizes were endowed with €500, €300 and €200. In addition, the first prize winner received the sculpture created especially for the Peace Prize by Chemnitz sculptor Erik Neukirchner.
The award ceremony was supported by the city of Chemnitz and the utility company eins energie in Sachsen.
Keyword Chemnitz Peace Prize
Projects, institutions, organisations and individuals who are committed to tolerance, peaceful coexistence and combating xenophobia were invited to apply for the Chemnitz Peace Prize. This year, nine potential award winners were shortlisted, from which the fifteen-member jury selected the winners.
This year, 25 projects were put forward. Eleven projects, institutions, organisations and individuals were shortlisted.