Angela Merkel was honoured on 1 November 2026 at the Gewandhaus zu Leipzig with the International Mendelssohn Prize. The Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Foundation presented the prize at the opening of the Mendelssohn Festival, taking place in Leipzig until 8 November 2026. Alongside the former Chancellor, composer and clarinettist Jörg Widmann was honoured as a co-recipient. The festival concert combined the award ceremony with works by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and contemporary compositions; the event was a benefit evening for the Mendelssohn House Leipzig according to the announcement.
In her acceptance speech, Merkel warned of forces that weaken social cohesion. She emphasised the importance of robust institutions, reasoned debate and verifiable facts for democracy. She cited the spread of false information, accelerated by digital technologies, as a particular danger. She also appealed for broad cooperation among democratic forces to counter divisive tendencies. She did not outline any specific policy measures.
The foundation justified the award by citing Merkel’s longstanding commitment to European unity, mutual understanding and public responsibility. The organisers said that choosing Leipzig, a city with a rich musical tradition and closely associated with Mendelssohn, sent a message about dialogue between culture and civil society. Jörg Widmann was also honoured as an artist who interprets the classical repertoire and brings it into the present through his own works.
The evening in the Gewandhaus’s Grand Hall opened the Mendelssohn Festival Days with the award ceremony. The festival programme includes concerts, chamber music and music education events. According to the Gewandhaus, this year’s focus is on remembrance, responsibility and the continuing relevance of Mendelssohn’s work. Visitors can also find out about the work of the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Foundation and the preservation of Mendelssohn’s legacy.
With the award and the accompanying speech, Leipzig cultural questions and challenges for democracy were brought closely together. While the honour recognised achievements of cultural and historical significance, the laureate’s appeal was directed at the present: protecting democratic processes, respecting differing opinions and handling information carefully. Saxony also presented itself as the host of a festival that nurtures the city’s musical tradition while engaging with current debates.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).