György Konrád

2001

The text of the medal presented reads:

Karlspreis zu Aachen 2001
György Konrád
Brückenbauer für Gerechtigkeit und Versöhnung in Europa

Vita

1933
1933
Born in Berettyonifalu, Ostungarn
Literature, sociology, psychology – studying in Budapest
until 1956
until 1956
1959-1965
1959-1965
Child protection inspector – worked for the guardianship authority in a district of Budapest
Sociologist – employed at the Budapest Institute and Planning Office for Urban Development
1965
1965
1969
1969
First novel – Publication of ‘The Visitor’
Ban on publication – Ban in Hungary on travelling and studying in Western Europe, America and Australia
1978-1988
1978-1988
1990
1990
President of International PEN – elected until 1993
Vice President of PEN – After his presidency
1993
1993
1997
1997
President of the Academy of Arts – Assumption of the chair
Important writer and essayist
Excellent works, international reputation as a theorist of a ‘new Central Europe’

Text of the Certificate of Honour

On Ascension Day, 24 May 2001, the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen was awarded to the Hungarian writer and sociologist and President of the Academy of Arts, Berlin, György Konrád, in the Coronation Hall of the Town Hall, the former Imperial Palace, in recognition of his outstanding achievements as a European humanist, world citizen and bridge-builder for justice and reconciliation, and thus for the growing together of Europe.