The Latest at Goethe

Stories opposing walls of intolerance: The book 1989, a project by the Goethe-Institut in Italy, was awarded the European book prize Premio Aldo Manuzio. And, for the first time the Premio Mercurio D’Oro business award goes to a cultural institution, the Goethe-Institut Milan.

“It was intolerable, the empty, dark street was wrapped in powdery snow, and the child stood there all alone, calling out ‘Khakes...’ although no one passed. I started to walk out anyway, but the sentry grabbed me by the sleeve and shouted furiously, ‘Get back ...!’”

They are often made of bricks, barbed wire or cement blocks. But, walls also rise when a sentry strictly obeys orders. In Heinrich Böll’s short story Children Are Civilians Too a soldier in a military hospital in Russia is convalescing from his wounds. Outside, a girl wants to sell cakes, but the sentry forbids the soldier from leaving the grounds. Civilians aren’t permitted to enter the building. At the girl’s gesturing, he nevertheless discovers an opening. He buys the entire basket and pays generously.

Böll is only one of ten European writers who fought with their stories against walls of intolerance and that appear in the book for young people 1989 – 10 Mauergeschichten (1989, Dieci storie per attraversare i muri). The volume was illustrated by Henning Wagenbreth.

Now, the international project by the publishing house Orecchio Acerbo, the Goethe-Institut and a number of cultural institutes and partners in Italy and Europe was awarded by the European Union Publishers’ Forum with the Premio Aldo Manuzio. It recognizes the book for its contribution to disseminating European culture and literature. It has already appeared in five languages.

Business award goes to the Goethe-Institut Milan

The Goethe-Institut in Italy has yet another reason to be proud. On 24 January, the institute in Milan will be awarded the Premio Mercurio D’Oro for its entrepreneurial spirit and its dedication. The award usually goes to firms for their commitment to German-Italian cooperation. It was created in 1949 to re-establish economic relations within Europe.

Previous awardees include major businesses such as the Italian subsidiaries of Henkel and Siemens; this is the first time the Premio Mercurio D’Oro will be awarded to a cultural institution. The reason is the Goethe-Institut’s prominent presence in the Milan arts scene – its exhibitions and readings enhance understanding between Germany and Italy. In addition, as an institute in an economic centre, it is in close contact with German firms, which in turn promote its events, such as the photography exhibition Niemand ist mehr dort, wo er hinwollte. The images of the reunification of Germany triggered a debate in Milan about national identity and symbolism.

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