Czech Writer Jaroslav Rudiš to Receive Görlitz Bridge Prize 2026
Czech author Jaroslav Rudiš has been named the recipient of the Görlitz Bridge Prize for 2026. The award recognizes individuals who have contributed to fostering understanding between European peoples.
Czech writer Jaroslav Rudiš has been selected as the winner of the Görlitz Bridge Prize for 2026, the city announced on Monday. The prize honors individuals who have made significant contributions to promoting understanding between European peoples through their work.
Rudiš, born in 1972 and living between Bohemia and Berlin, is recognized for his literary contributions that often delve into the often painful transformations of history. His breakthrough came with the comic "Alois Nebel," which was also adapted into a film.
The jury cited Rudiš's ability to "love people and seek them in the convoluted, dark corridors of history." His novel "Winterbergs letzte Reise" (Winterberg's Last Journey) was specifically highlighted. The book follows a 99-year-old man on a final journey through Central Europe, touching upon the history of the World Wars.
The Bridge Prize has been awarded since 1993 and annually since 1998 to individuals who have served the cause of European understanding between peoples. The prize comes with an award of 2,500 euros.