Guggolz's opening address Literature against division

Oct 5

Sebastian Guggolz welcomes nominees and guests to his first German Book Prize as association chair and describes the attention generated by longlist and shortlist readings, reviews and discussion. He argues that literature offers understanding and empathy against simplification and dangerous polarization, particularly in digital media, developing the point through a Franz Fühmann essay quotation. He praises the diversity and quality of the jury's lists, thanks the seven jurors for their reading and deliberation, hopes the books will continue to find readers after the prize decision, and acknowledges Frankfurt, the Book Fair, media partners and the Deutsche Bank Foundation. Jo Schück acknowledges him at the close.

In his October 5 German Book Prize opening address in Frankfurt, publishers' association chair Sebastian Guggolz presents literature as an alternative to public polarization. He argues that simplification, distortion and polemics, particularly in digital networks, threaten an open democratic society, while reading and sharing experience cultivate empathy and dialogue. He uses Franz Fühmann's discussion of literary communication to develop the argument and thanks the nominees; these are his public judgments, not independently measured effects of literature or media.