Great writer, critical spirit and alert chronicler of German-German history
Minister Schüle welcomes the centenary year of Günter de Bruyn
On 24 April, the centenary year of the writer Günter de Bruyn was officially launched with the opening of the office of the foundation of the same name in Beeskow/Bezkow (Oder-Spree/Odra-Sprjewja).
Minister of Culture Manja Schüle: "Günter de Bruyn was not only a great, multi-award-winning writer, but also a critical spirit and an alert chronicler of German-German history. He wrote literary history with his works: his autobiographical novels provide deep insights into the landscape of people's souls and he has shaped the image of Brandenburg like no other. I am therefore delighted that we are celebrating his 100th birthday with many attractions, exhibitions, readings and film screenings – including an exhibition that we are opening in the Ministry of Culture in autumn. Whether in Potsdam, Beeskow, Görsdorf, Erkner or Zeuthen – this year you can meet and trace the great writer in many places in Brandenburg."
The writer Günter de Bruyn, who was born in 1926 and died in 2020, worked as a freelance writer from 1961. His work consists of realistic novels and stories, often with an autobiographical flavour, as well as essays on literary and historical topics. He was also the editor of a series of 18th and 19th century authors with a connection to Berlin and Brandenburg, which appeared under the title "Märkischer Dichtergarten". Günter de Bruyn lived in his refuge, the former Blabberschäferei near Görsdorf/Górice, from the late 1960s.
Founded in 2021, the Günter de Bruyn Foundation has been awarding scholarships to artists living in the writer's former home in the Blabberschäferei since 2023. The town of Beeskow transferred the renovated old town house in Beeskow to the foundation in May 2025. In addition to the office, Günter de Bruyn's library holdings are housed here and accessible to the public. The Ministry of Culture has provided 62,850 euros in funding for the library's collection and inventory and is supporting the anniversary programme with 10,000 euros. Further information: www.gdb-s.de
Opening of the Günter de Bruyn House in Beeskow
On 24 April, the Günter de Bruyn House in Beeskow was also officially opened. With a varied programme, musical accompaniment and guided tours of the building in the presence of architect Michael Albrecht and Wolfgang de Bruyn, the extensively renovated facility was handed over to the public. A special item on the programme of the official opening ceremony was the presentation of 22 watercolours by the artist Elisabeth Strahler (Cologne) to the foundation. The works were created over several years on discovery tours of the Brandenburg region, including together with Günter de Bruyn.
The opening of the Günter de Bruyn House revitalises an important site of Brandenburg's literary and cultural history and makes it accessible to the public.