Heinrich Böll


Heinrich Böll (1917 - 1985)

Image removed.

Heinrich Böll is one of the most important and best-known writers of the Federal Republic of Germany. "Bound by the times and my contemporaries, to what my generation has lived through, experienced, seen, and heard," as he himself wrote, he was the critical chronicler of Germany's history at mid-century.He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for his novels and short stories in 1972.

His courageous and unerring intervention significantly enriched and influenced political culture in Germany. Throughout his life, Heinrich Böll transcended all ideological boundaries in his committed support of persecuted colleagues, civil rights activists, and political prisoners; this once earned him the mocking title of "Warden of the Dissident Wayfarers" in an East German magazine.

His global commitment to human rights greatly enhanced the image of the Federal Republic of Germany and fostered international understanding. His books and essays vividly portray the first 40 years of German democracy following the Nazi dictatorship. Committed to speaking out against the global threat of nuclear destruction, he was actively involved in the peace movement in the early 1980s.

Heinrich Böll was president of PEN International for several years.

His most important works include "The Bread of Our Early Years," "Billiards at Half-past Nine," "The Clown," "Group Portrait with Lady," "The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum," "Women in a River Landscape," and "Irish Journal." Many of his books have been made into films.


Heinrich Böll Competition


Image removed.

ESSAY

"Teeth - The Fall of the Berlin Wall as a Metaphor for Freedom of the Individual“

With his story "Teeth", Gareth McNamara, a 16-year old student of Scoil Damhnait Secondary School on Achill Island, Co Mayo, was the overall winner of the 2009 Heinrich Böll Essay Competition in 2009. more»


Biography of Heinrich Böll


Heinrich Böll House Langenbroich


Image removed.

The Heinrich Böll House Langenbroich

The Heinrich Böll house at Langenbroich, a former residence of the Böll family, offers workspace for artists who are unable to work creativly - be it for reasons of censorship, civil unrest, or because of their economic situation. more»

Heinrich Böll House Langenbroich: Grant Awards

- The Heinrich Böll House Langenbroich offers four flats for writers and artists: two single apartments, one double and one treble. The working grants are not primarily linked to specific projects - the important thing is to create the right conditions for a good working atmosphere. more»


Works and Links


Image removed.

INTERVIEW

Historical Documents Lost Forever

December 23, 2009 - After the collapse of the Historical Archive of Cologne we spoke with René Böll, son and representative of the heirs of Heinrich Böll about the consequences for the estate. more»

Works

- "Billards at Half-Past Nine", "Group Portrait with Lady" or "The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum":  Information on some of the works of Heinrich Böll. more»

Links

More links, more information: Learn more about his life, work and political attitude. more»