Karl Schlögel Wins Peace Prize of the German Book Trade for 2025
The German historian Karl Schlögel, an expert on Russia and Ukraine, has been awarded the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade for 2025. This prestigious literary prize is awarded annually by the German publishers and booksellers’ association at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Schlögel won the prize for his work, which has recently focused on the historical context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A Warning Against Putin’s Aggression
The jury’s statement praised Schlögel for being one of the first voices to warn of Vladimir Putin’s aggressive expansionist policy and authoritarian-nationalist demands on power. Schlögel continues to advocate for Ukraine’s defense, emphasizing that it is essential for Europe’s future. His message is clear and urgent: without a free Ukraine, there can be no peace in Europe.
A Lifelong Understanding of European History
Karl Schlögel’s fascination with Eastern Europe began in 1948, when he was born into a farmer’s family in Bavaria, southern Germany. He traveled to the Soviet Union in 1966 and experienced the Prague Spring in 1968, where Soviet tanks brutally suppressed an uprising in the Czechoslovak capital. Schlögel studied philosophy and Eastern European history at the Free University of Berlin, specializing in Stalinist Russia. He became an active member of the student movement and joined the Maoist Communist Party of Germany before receiving his doctorate.
Criticism of Putin’s Regime
Schlögel has written extensively about Russian and Eastern European history and culture, including criticism of Vladimir Putin’s regime. In 2017, he wrote that Putin’s only lesson from the failure of the Russian Empire was to fear change and maintain power at all costs. When Putin’s regime annexed Crimea in 2014, Schlögel visited Ukraine and focused his research on the country and its cities, including Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv, and Kharkiv.
A Surprising and Great Honor
Schlögel’s works, such as "Terror and Dream" (2008) and "The Soviet Century" (2017), have been praised for their lively and engaging historiography. The chairwoman of the German publishers and booksellers association, Karin Schmidt-Friderichs, noted that Schlögel’s narrative style combines observation, feeling, and understanding, correcting prejudices and arousing curiosity. Schlögel described the peace prize as "a surprising and great honor," recognizing the importance of Eastern European history in his work. He also emphasized the need for Germany to defend Ukraine, stating that "Russia is the enemy" and that Germans must prepare for it.
A Warning from the Former Winner
Last year’s winner of the Peace Prize, US historian Anne Applebaum, also warned of Putin’s aggression. In her acceptance speech, she emphasized the need to help Ukraine achieve victory to prevent Russia from spreading its autocratic political system. Applebaum’s work embodies an important contribution to the preservation of democracy and peace, and her warning serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by Putin’s regime.
The Peace Prize
The Peace Prize of the German Book Trade is awarded annually to demonstrate commitment to international understanding between nations and cultures. The prize money is €25,000, and it will be awarded to Schlögel on October 19 at the Frankfurt Book Fair. As the youngest recipient of the prize, Schlögel’s award recognizes his significant contribution to the field of Eastern European history and his tireless advocacy for Ukraine’s defense.
