Two distinguished literary figures have been honored with the inaugural German-Austrian Poetry Prize, a significant new accolade celebrating contemporary verse. German writer and translator Esther Kinsky and Vienna-based author Ann Cotten will each receive €15,000 for their latest poetry collections. This marks a total prize sum of €30,000.
The newly established German-Austrian Poetry Prize commemorates the 100th anniversary of renowned poet Ingeborg Bachmann’s birth. This joint initiative from the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Austria aims to spotlight poetic excellence from both countries.
Esther Kinsky, born in 1956, earns recognition for her poetry collection “Heim.Statt,” set for publication by Suhrkamp in 2025. An independent jury praised Kinsky’s masterful exploration of linguistic realms. Her work, characterized by its seven polyphonic long poems, deeply delves into themes of uprootedness, belonging, and placelessness.
Meanwhile, Ann Cotten, born in Ames, Iowa, in 1982, is celebrated for her volume “Poller. Idyllen,” also from Suhrkamp. The jury commended Cotten’s intelligent and witty engagement with the ancient concept of the idyll. Her unique collection combines poems with a prose foundation on every page, featuring her own illustrations.
The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) and the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA) jointly initiated this special award. A key jury criterion centered on works embodying Bachmann’s spirit through their interplay of diverse poetic, linguistic, and cultural traditions.
The official award ceremony is scheduled for November 25, 2026. It will take place on the opening night of Buch Wien. German Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer and Austrian State Secretary for Cultural Affairs Abroad Sepp Schellhorn will personally present the accolades.
Minister Weimer highlighted poetry’s unifying power. He remarked, “Poetry builds bridges between people and nations. Poems transcend boundaries: boundaries of the heart, of languages, of cultures, and of nations.” Similarly, State Secretary Schellhorn underscored language’s importance amidst digital change. He stated, “Especially in times of global technological change and the increasing use of artificial intelligence, we must devote all our energy to preserving our language and the creative spirit of our artists.”
Beyond the monetary prize, the award incorporates an active workshop phase. The laureates will participate in translation workshops at the Literarisches Colloquium Berlin (LCB) and the Austrian Society for Literature (ÖGfL). There, they will collaborate with literary translators to render their texts into other languages. Additionally, they will engage with significant works that profoundly influenced Ingeborg Bachmann.
