Enzensberger to receive prize today Tuesday

German author and poet Hans Magnus Enzensberger will be awarded the prestigious Sonning Prize at the University of Copenhagen’s Ceremonial Hall today Tuesday at 14.00. Follow University Post for coverage

by Luci Ellis

Hans Magnus Enzensberger, who is known for his literature, journalism, essays and poetry, is known for satire and irony, with key themes being middle class mediocrity and civil unrest. It is his discussion of what 'Europe' is that the panel of judges from the University of Copenhagen have chosen to award Enzenberger this year’s Sonning Prize of DKK 1 million.

Dares to say no

79-year old Enzensberger made his debut with the poetry anthology, Verteidigung der Wölfe in 1957 and has since made an acute diagnosis of Europe with an undertone of sarcasm.

The Sonning committee, headed by University of Copenhagen rector Ralf Hemmingsen described Enzensberger recently as »a poet and an intellectual who with humour, irony and a hidden warmth, dares to say 'no' and thereby 'yes' in his own way, in what seems to be the right way.«

The Sonning Prize is awarded every second year for outstanding contributions to European culture. A committee headed by the rector of the University of Copenhagen decides among candidates proposed by European universities.

The prize will be awarded today at Ceremonial Hall at 14.00.

The University Post will attend the event, so watch this space for photos and coverage of the prize giving ceremony.

luci@adm.ku.dk

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