It was only in April that the jury of the European Playwrights Prize, appointed by the Stuttgart Theater, awarded the British actress Churchill the award for her complete works. Now that decision is being withdrawn.
Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) – Due to anti-Semitism allegations against the British playwright Caryl Churchill, the Stuttgart drama theater will not award the dramatist prize 2022 for her complete works. “After renewed deliberation, the jury decided yesterday (October 31) to withdraw its decision and not to award the European Dramatist Prize this year. Information had become known over the weekend that the jury had not previously had,” said the drama on Tuesday with The jury was aware of the author’s signatures in connection with the Israel boycott movement BDS. “There’s also the play “Seven Jewish Children,” which can come across as anti-Semitic.”
The state government followed the jury’s recommendation, said Art Minister Petra Olschowski. “In Germany we have a special historical responsibility. That’s why we as a country are taking a clear stance against any form of anti-Semitism. That’s non-negotiable for us.” All the more reason why a prize sponsored with state funds cannot be awarded under the given circumstances. Theater director Burkhard C. Kosminski said: “Schauspiel Stuttgart can understand the decision of the jury and supports it. We deeply regret the process.”
The President of the German-Israeli Society, Volker Beck, had previously asked Baden-Württemberg’s Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) to return the patronage of the European Dramatist Prize. The background is research by a journalist network in North Rhine-Westphalia, according to the “Stuttgarter Zeitung” and the “Stuttgarter Nachrichten” (Wednesday). The network accuses Churchill of being involved in the international Israel cultural boycott movement BDS and criticizes anti-Semitic stereotypes in her works. Beck said the playwright award to Churchill was “a statement against Israel”. For this very reason, Kretschmann must withdraw his patronage immediately if the responsible authorities stick to the award.
The award, worth 75,000 euros, is sponsored by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry for Science, Research and the Arts. The prize was to be presented to the 84-year-old writer at the Schauspielhaus on November 20. Discussions are still taking place about how the prize money will be used.
