German writer Hans Magnus Enzensberger wins Sonning Prize for promoting European culture

German writer Enzensberger wins Danish prize

COPENHAGEN — German writer Hans Magnus Enzensberger was awarded Denmark’s 2010 Sonning Prize on Wednesday, which honors work that benefits European culture.

The University of Copenhagen said Enzensberger, 79, will receive the prize and 1 million kroner (about $200,000) during a ceremony in February.

Enzensberger has left “considerable footprints in literature, essays and journalism” and consistently discussed Europe in his works, the university said.

In its citation, the university said Enzensberger is “a poet and an intellectual who with humor, irony and hidden warmth dares to say ‘no’ and yet ‘yes’ in his own way, and in that way it seems appropriate.”

The university singled out his 1987 prose “Oh, Europe” in which “he describes and dissects the cultures and customs of a number of European countries. The common thread proved to be their single-mindedness.”

“For him, Europe is neither a single unit nor a series of isolated units,” the citation said.

Enzensberger debuted with his first poetry collection in 1957, and has since published more than 50 works that include an impressive range of poems, novels, plays and scientific works.

The biennial award has been handed out since 1950 in honor of late Danish writer Carl Johan Sonning. Previous recipients include Czech President Vaclav Havel, Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman and German Nobel literature laureate Guenter Grass.

Italian architect Renzo Piano won the award in 2008.

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University of Copenhagen: www.ku.dk/english/