Leipzig Mendelssohn Award
The Leipzig Mendelssohn Award has been conferred annually since 2007 and is awarded in three categories: music, visual arts and social commitment. These categories recall Mendelssohn's creative diversity, his distinctive, diverse talents and his untiring efforts on behalf of social progress.
The award's namesake, Felix Mendelssohn, clearly exemplifies high aesthetic and political values, not only as a musician and artist but in his social commitment as well.
The honorary award is conferred on individuals who take a special interest in Mendelssohn's work and spirit and is intended to support and pay tribute to their work.
The bronze figure presented with the award is modelled on the sculpture of Mendelssohn by Jo Jastram which was erected in front of the Leipzig Gewandhaus in 1993 and is cast in the art foundry of Marc Krepp in Berlin. The figure weighs 3400 grams.