Lecture

Values and Prizes—Reflections on Literary Prizes and Literary Criticism

Dynamics of Valorization in the Current Literary Prize Landscape

Prof. Dr. Alexandra Pontzen’s lecture provides an overview of the German literary prize landscape and current trends in its development, with a focus on dynamics of valorization. The research findings will be illustrated and discussed using the example of the prestigious Bachmann Prize. The awarding of the prize to Lena Schätte (2026) serves as the starting point for a discussion of the criteria used in literary criticism by “laypeople” and professional critics, as well as the question of where students of literary studies position themselves within this context.

All interested parties are cordially invited.