Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) - The Belgian author Kathleen Vereecken was honored with the renowned Gustav Heinemann Peace Prize for children's and youth books for a novel about war and expulsion. The book "Everything will be fine, always" tells the story of the girl Alice, who flees with her family from a Belgian village to France during the First World War.
"In an impressive story about war, flight and love, Kathleen Vereecken conveys the message never to give up hope," said NRW Culture Minister Ina Brandes (CDU) on Friday in Düsseldorf, explaining this year's decision. "She shows that only through solidarity - especially in the family - a way out of dark times can be found."
The Gustav Heinemann Peace Prize is one of the most important awards for German-language children's and young adult literature. The prize is awarded annually to a book that encourages young readers to get involved in human rights, civil forms of conflict resolution, tolerance and against violence. The award commemorates the peace policy commitment of former Federal President Gustav Heinemann (1899-1976). The prize is being awarded for the 39th time this year and is endowed with 7,500 euros. It will be awarded on December 2nd in the LWL Museum in Münster.
