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Shida Bazyar wins German Book Prize for ‘Die Lücken’

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2026-10-06 22:19 UTC → 2026-10-07 04:36 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Author Shida Bazyar has received significant recognition for her novel ‘Die Lücken’ (The Gaps). In late September 2026, she was awarded the Wilhelm Raabe Literature Prize, a 30,000 euro honor sponsored by the city of Braunschweig and Deutschlandfunk. The jury described the work as ‘one of the most explosive novels of our time,’ noting its exploration of German history, Holocaust complicity, and the normalization of antisemitism through various perspectives. Following this award, Bazyar emerged as a frontrunner for the 2026 German Book Prize. On October 5, 2026, she was officially awarded the prize at the Frankfurt Römer, presented by the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels. The award includes a 25,000 euro prize and was announced ahead of the 78th Frankfurt Book Fair. The jury characterized the work as a ‘novel against indifference’ that redefines the boundaries of the ‘Heimatroman’ (home novel) through its complex structure and transnational perspective. Set in the fictional Hunsrück village of Heimesbach, the novel examines nearly a century of German history, including Jewish life, Nazi profiteers, and the experiences of Kurdish and Iranian refugees. The jury specifically praised Bazyar’s use of a deceased narrator to bridge different historical eras. In her acceptance speech, Bazyar offered a somber reflection rather than celebration, warning of rising racism and antisemitism in Germany, stating that ‘no minority in Germany has no reason for concern.’ The announcement of her win coincides with the opening of the Frankfurt Book Fair, occurring during a period of economic challenges for the German publishing industry, including declining revenues and reduced book purchases among younger demographics.

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