When does the award ceremony take place?

The award ceremony takes place on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 7 PM.

Where does the event take place?

The venue is the City Museum Jena at Markt 7 in 07743 Jena.

Which authors are being honored?

Lea Schneider receives the main prize of 5000 euros. Nina Kiedrowicz will be awarded the encouragement prize of 2500 euros.

Which texts will be presented?

Lea Schneider will read from her essay Say my name, say my name. Nina Kiedrowicz will present excerpts from TO CHOOSE TO WRITE.

What is the admission fee?

Admission to the award ceremony is free.

Who organizes the Caroline-Schlegel Prize?

The Romantikerhaus Jena presents the prize on behalf of the City of Jena.

Caroline-Schlegel Prize Jena 2026

Name: Award Ceremony: Caroline-Schlegel Prize of the City of Jena 2026
Start: 2026-11-12T19:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-12T19:00:00+01:00
Location: Stadtmuseum Jena

Literary Award for Outstanding Essay Art

The City Museum Jena will be the venue for a special meeting of female authors on November 12, 2026: The Romantikerhaus Jena presents the Caroline-Schlegel Prize 2026 on behalf of the city. The award ceremony honors outstanding literary achievements in the essay genre and combines the formal award with a reading of the awarded texts.

Essay as Precise Language Art

The essay thrives on the combination of observation, reflection, and stylistic condensation. Since the year 2000, the Caroline-Schlegel Prize has been awarded every three years, thus making a significant mark in Jena's literary calendar. The focus is on texts that connect societal questions, personal perspectives, and linguistic form into an independent narrative movement.

Lea Schneider Receives the Main Award

The main award, worth 5000 euros, goes to Lea Schneider from Berlin in 2026. Her essay Say my name, say my name is being honored. Schneider's literary work stands for a present-day linguistic sensitivity and an essayistic form in which thought leadership, rhythm, and cultural discourse intertwine closely.

Nina Kiedrowicz Honored with the Encouragement Award

The encouragement award, amounting to 2500 euros, is awarded to Nina Kiedrowicz from Essen for her essay TO CHOOSE TO WRITE. This award underscores the importance of new voices for the literary public and makes visible how diverse the essay genre unfolds between self-inquiry, social analysis, and poetic language art.

Reading from the Awarded Texts

During the award ceremony, both authors will read excerpts from their awarded essays. The direct encounter with voice, language rhythm, and intellectual precision creates a concentrated reading atmosphere. Visitors will experience the literary quality of the texts not only as a jury decision but in their acoustic and intellectual presence.

Conclusion: An Evening for Contemporary Literature

The award ceremony of the Caroline-Schlegel Prize promises an inspiring literary experience between ceremonial act, reading, and cultural discourse. Those who appreciate essayistic literature, new female author voices, and the fine art of reflective writing will experience an evening of special significance for the literature scene at the City Museum Jena.