Since 1976, the Rudolf-Alexander-Schröder Foundation has organized the presentation of the Bremen Literature Prize as part of the Bremen Literary Week. Each year, the series of events focuses on a new theme. The program includes readings, exhibitions, film screenings, discussions, and music. Special programs are also developed for young people. The week is intended to be a place for curiosity and exchange. This is where authors, readers, and experts come together to discuss literature and social issues.
In 2026, Literary Week will celebrate a special anniversary: From January 23 to 31, it will take place for the 50th time. Over the past five decades, the series has established itself as an integral part of cultural life in Bremen. It offers not only literary discoveries but also a space for debates on current developments. The organizers have always emphasized their commitment to viewing literature as a means of engagement.
Traditionally, the award winners read from their latest works on the eve of the award ceremony. This year is no exception: The grand prize winner, Heinz Strunk, will present his collection of short stories *Kein Geld Kein Glück Kein Sprit* (No Money, No Luck, No Gas), published in 2025 by Rowohlt Verlag. The Special Prize winner, Kaleb Erdmann, will read from his novel “Die Ausweichschule,” published in 2025 by Ullstein Buchverlage. In this way, the Literary Week directly links the festival program with the award.
Freedom, as we understand it …?
The 50th issue is themed “Freedom, what do we mean by it…?”. The starting point is Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s famous statement: “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains…”. The theme addresses a question that remains as urgent today as ever. Freedom is considered a precious commodity, yet for many people it remains out of reach.
In the 21st century, the question of what freedom actually means has resurfaced. Does it refer to self-determination in one’s personal life? To resistance against injustice within the family and society? Or to the ability to think and act independently? The invited authors examine these questions from various perspectives. In their novels and short stories, they depict tensions in everyday life and their causes, which often stem from a lack of freedom.
Literature should therefore be used as a means of discussing the meaning of freedom. The organizers hope to foster encounters and conversations that inspire reflection.
For 50 years, the Literary Week has also been distinguished by the fact that it not only presents literature but also places it within a broader context.
Award Winner and Work: Heinz Strunk Honored
The highlight of the week is the ceremonial presentation of the 72nd Bremen Literature Prize. On January 26, 2026, Heinz Strunk was honored during a ceremony in the Upper Hall of Bremen City Hall. The prize is endowed with 25,000 euros and is one of the oldest and most important awards for German-language literature. It was first awarded in 1954; since 1977, there has also been a sponsorship award.
Heinz Strunk receives the award for his collection of short stories *No Money, No Luck, No Gas*. The jury commends his unsparing exploration of the fragility and transience of life. In its statement, the jury notes that Strunk uses often grotesque humor to delve from the mundane into the existential misery of his characters. In their depths, something profoundly human becomes visible.
In his opening remarks, Bremen’s Senator for Culture and Mayor, Dr. Andreas Bovenschulte, emphasized the importance of socially engaged literature. He noted that, especially in times of social challenges, it is important for writers to hold up a mirror to society. He thanked the two award winners as well as everyone involved who contributed to the success of the award ceremony.
Jury member Richard Kämmerlings also spoke plainly. He described Strunk as an author who lays bare his characters with great linguistic precision. He spoke of a dark underlying conviction that resonates throughout the new stories and drew a comparison to Thomas Bernhard. Strunk works with precise linguistic means and lays bare the inner lives of his characters until only their raw vulnerability remains.
(Heinz Strunk, born in Bevensen in 1962, is not only a writer but also a musician and actor. Since his debut novel *Fleisch ist mein Gemüse*, he has published fourteen more books. His novel *Der goldene Handschuh* remained on the bestseller list for months; the film adaptation by Fatih Akin was screened in the Berlinale competition. In 2016, Strunk was honored with the Wilhelm Raabe Literature Prize. His novels *It's Always So Nice with You* and *A Summer in Niendorf* were nominated for the German Book Prize.)
The award-winning collection *No Money, No Luck, No Gas* brings together short stories that seamlessly blend tragedy and comedy. The book challenges the notion that short stories are boring. It creates a world that feels both strange and familiar. It tells of strange illnesses, unsettling events in a suburban neighborhood, broken families, and failed relationships. Household robots watch a puppet show with rapt attention; a woman ends up with the wrong plastic surgeon during a routine procedure; and at a luxury resort in Gran Canaria, retired couples get into bitter arguments over the fish buffet during the off-season.
These scenes feel very real. Behind the humor often lies pain. It is precisely in this that the jury recognizes the literary quality of the collection: in its portrayal of failure and in its ability to reveal humanity even in the midst of adversity.
The awarding of the prize to Heinz Strunk and the anniversary edition of the Bremen Literary Week thus serve as a dual symbol: of the enduring significance of literature—and of the question of freedom, which is a central concern in both our personal and social lives.
Eske Böttcher is a student in her fifth semester of the bachelor’s program in German Studies and Communication and Media Studies at the University of Bremen. This article was written as part of a seminar on “Text Types and Formats in Online Journalism.”
