The "Buxtehude Bull"
The “Buxtehude Bull” is one of the most remunerated German literature prizes. Winfried Zimann, once a book dealer in Buxtehude, Winfried Ziemann, initiated the prize in 1971. Ever since, it has been awarded to the best youth fiction book (published in the German language) annually.
The goal of the “Bull” is to enthuse youth to actively and intensively read as well as to promote good youth books.
The city of Buxtehude took over sponsorship in 1981. The prize gets its name from Ferdinand, the placid bull from the well-known children's picture book, “The Story of Ferdinand” by Munro Leaf, first published in 1937. The literature award includes prize money of €5000 and an award of a steel bull-shaped statue, made by the sculptor Reinhard Güthling.
Any fiction youth books that were first published in, or into, the German language in the past calendar year may participate in the competition - including translations. The books up for selection are youth books that are marked by their publishers for the target groups “from 13 years of age” or “from 14 years of age”.
The winner is determined by a jury of eleven young readers and eleven adults. The jury is formed anew every year.
From the received applications, four groups are determined by drawing lots:
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Seven youths and seven adults residing in Buxtehude,
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Four youths and four adults from elsewhere.
Malene Sølvsten with the translators of her book Franziska Hüther and Justus Carl
News
Sechs Titel für den Buxtehuder Bullen 2022 nominiert
Buxtehude. Sechs Neuerscheinungen des vergangenen Jahres haben es auf die Shortlist des Buxtehuder Bullen geschafft.
Seit dem Herbst hatte sich die 22-köpfigen Jury – bestehend aus elf jugendlichen und elf erwachsenen Leser:innen durch rund 80 Titel gelesen und für die Vorauswahl gevotet. Erneut gehen dabei ausschließlich Bücher von Autorinnen ins Rennen um den renommierten Jugendliteraturpreis.
Malene Sølvsten awarded with "Buxtehude Bull" – Fabulous material "Ansuz" inspires the jury
Buxtehude. Yesterday, Thursday evening, November 10th, the Danish author Marlene Sølvsten personally accepted her “Buxtehude Bull” at an atmospheric award ceremony on the Halepaghen stage. The youth book author was honored for her first volume of the fantasy trilogy "Anzus – Das Flüstern der Raben” (Anzus – The Whisper of Ravens(1)), published by Arctis Verlag.