Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) – The Düsseldorf association Heinrich Heine Kreis gives the Klitschko brothers this year’s award for civil courage. “Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko show their civil society commitment in literal brotherhood, a courageous joint action to maintain the daily life of the people in Ukraine, regardless of the danger to their own lives,” the board justified the election. The two former world boxing champions will receive the honor on October 25 in Düsseldorf.
However, due to the war in Ukraine, the mayor of Kyiv and his older brother will not accept the award, which is worth 25,000 euros. It will be presented to the Consul General of Ukraine in Düsseldorf, Iryna Shum, on her behalf. The eulogy will be held by Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP), Chair of the Defense Committee of the German Bundestag. The money is intended to support humanitarian transports from Dusseldorf to Kyiv.
The Heinrich Heine Kreis has been presenting the award for civil courage since 2006. It is given to people “who have demonstrated civil courage through their work and actions in public and have therefore stood up and stand up for a free, open and tolerant society”.
