Former Chancellor Angela Merkel receives Mendelssohn Prize in Leipzig

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was honored with the International Mendelssohn Prize in the 'Europe' category during a ceremony at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. The non-monetary award recognizes individuals whose work aligns with the spirit of composer Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy.

In her acceptance speech, Merkel emphasized the necessity of defending European Union values against challenges to democracy and objective truth. Addressing the audience, she noted that the abandonment of factual discourse threatens the principles of the Enlightenment. The event featured remarks from Leipzig Mayor Burkhard Jung, who praised Merkel’s tenure as chancellor from 2005 to 2021.

The Mendelssohn Prize is awarded by a foundation dedicated to maintaining the legacy of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, the founder of Germany's first conservatory in Leipzig. Previous recipients of the award include former Federal President Richard von Weizsäcker, former Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher, and former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt.