Presented annually by the Goethe-Institut to honor individuals who have advanced international cultural exchange, the award was given this year to three prominent figures: Osman Kavala, the Turkish cultural activist currently imprisoned; Li Yuan, a Chinese linguist and scholar; and David Van Reybrouck, a Belgian archaeologist and writer. The award ceremony took place in Weimar on August 28, the birthday of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Osman Kavala, Li Yuan and David Van Reybrouck Awarded the Goethe Medal
The Goethe Medal, presented annually by the Goethe-Institut to honor contributions to international cultural dialogue, has this year been awarded to imprisoned Turkish cultural figure Osman Kavala, Chinese linguist Li Yuan, and Belgian archaeologist and writer David Van Reybrouck. The award ceremony took place in Weimar on August 28, the birthday of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Osman Kavala: Dialogue Through Art
Imprisoned since 2017, Osman Kavala has continued to foster connections between art, culture, and civil society through Anadolu Kültür, which he founded in 2002. He has promoted cross-border collaboration with initiatives such as the Armenia-Turkey Cinema Platform and the Armenia-Turkey Youth Symphony Orchestra. Through institutions like the Diyarbakır Arts Center, he highlighted the role of culture and the arts in building dialogue. The Goethe-Institut recognized Kavala for his vision of art and culture as “cornerstones of a just and inclusive society.”
Li Yuan: German Language Learning with AI
A professor at Zhejiang University, Li Yuan develops innovative, AI-based methods for teaching German. Her work includes designing an AI tool that analyzes common student errors and provides instant feedback, as well as creating German-language teaching materials. Li was honored with the Goethe Medal for both her academic contributions and her efforts to foster intercultural understanding.
David Van Reybrouck: Giving Voice
David Van Reybrouck’s work brings attention to the silent witnesses of history. His books Congo: The Epic History of a People and Revolusi: Indonesia and the Birth of the Modern World shed light on colonial history and independence struggles. In Belgium, he also founded the G1000 initiative, promoting citizens’ assemblies and democratic participation. The Goethe-Institut praised his work as “one of the most significant contributions to contemporary political discourse.”
