Peace Prize Winner Schloegel: Conscription is 'timely' - Historian Karl Schloegel Wins Peace Prize, Calls for German Conscription
Historian Karl Schloegel has been awarded the prestigious Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, set to receive the accolade at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Worth €25,000, the prize is awarded annually by the German Publishers and Booksellers Association. Meanwhile, Ukrainian writer Serhij Zhadan was honoured with the same prize in 2022.
Schloegel, known for his views on history and peace, believes that mandatory conscription in Germany is timely given the current geopolitical climate. He sees a real threat from Russia, citing President Vladimir Putin's recent speech and its nuclear undertones. Schloegel himself refused military service during the Vietnam War era, serving in a hospital as an alternative. Despite his pacifist stance, he acknowledges that history, while instructive, does not offer a blueprint for peace.
Zhadan, a renowned Ukrainian writer, was awarded the Peace Prize in 2022. His works often focus on life in the East Ukraine, the Soviet legacy, and contemporary societal shifts. He is also actively involved in humanitarian efforts in regions affected by Russia's aggression. Notably, he is not a specialist historian focused on Russia, but rather a literary chronicler of the post-Soviet society, particularly Ukraine. Previous laureates include Maria Ressa in 2021 and Salman Rushdie in 2023.
Karl Schloegel's award recognises his insights into history and peace, particularly timely given the European context. Meanwhile, Serhij Zhadan's prize honours his literary contributions, offering a unique perspective on Ukrainian society and its struggles.
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