2024 Leipzig Book Award for European Understanding awarded

The German-Israeli philosopher Omri Boehm was awarded the 2024 Leipzig Book Award for European Understanding for his book entitled ‘Radical Universalism.

Beyond Identity.’ The awarding ceremony took place at the Gewandhaus Leipzig during the opening of the Leipzig Book Fair.

The book was translated by Michael Adrian and published by Propyläen Verlag in September 2022.

The prize was awarded to Omri Boehm for “the consistency with which he defends the essence of humanist universalism, the commitment to recognize the equality of all people against all relativization.”

In his book ‘Radical Universalism. Beyond Identity’ Boehm opposes the ideological rigidity of the present time, explores Western liberalism and ponders on the theme of absolute identities, of which it takes a critical view.

“Omri Boehm’s books are politically relevant. They are both a defense and a challenge to liberal democracies, asserting the indispensable nature of universalism,” the Leipzig Book Fair website informs.

Leipzig Book Award for European Understanding is one of the most important literary awards in Germany. It has been awarded annually since 1994 and is endowed with prize money of 20,000 Euro.

As previously reported, Ukraine will have a special literary program and a national stand at the Leipzig Book Fair.

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Translation: Iryna Saviuk

Editing: John G Sennett, Sr