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Shida Bazyar has been awarded the German Book Prize for 2026 for her novel Die Lücken at the Frankfurt Book Fair. The ceremony took place in the Kaisersaal of the Römer in Frankfurt on Monday evening. The prize, worth 25,000 euros, recognizes the best German-language fiction publication of the year. Bazyar’s novel explores the Nazi history of her birthplace in the Hunsrück region of Rhineland-Palatinate through a fictionalized depiction of a small town called Heimesbach. The jury described the book as “a novel against indifference” and noted its innovative approach to the homecoming narrative. The German Book Prize is traditionally awarded one day before the opening of the Frankfurt Book Fair. This year, the award was given to Bazyar ahead of the fair's official start on Tuesday. She beat five other finalists from the shortlist, which included authors such as Franziska Gänsler, Peggy Mädler, Dana Vowinckel, Valeria Gordeev, and Elias Hirschl. The shortlisted books were submitted from a total of 205 entries received this year. In her acceptance speech, Bazyar expressed difficulty in feeling genuine joy over receiving an award for a work dealing with such serious themes. She emphasized the current rise in antisemitic and racist crimes in Germany, stating that no minority in the country can feel safe. She warned against complacency regarding far-right rhetoric, noting how fascist movements often introduce ideas that seem implausible until they become normalized. She referenced philosopher Hannah Arendt, quoting her statement that the problem after 1933 was not what enemies did, but what friends did. Bazyar’s novel Die Lücken is set in a fictional village inspired by her childhood hometown of Hermeskeil in the Hunsrück. The story follows a dead narrator who returns to the village through the intervention of “gods.” The protagonist revisits her past as a ten-year-old girl fleeing with her family during World War II. The novel spans nearly a century of German history, touching on Jewish families, Nazi profiteers, and contemporary refugees seeking asylum in Germany. It delves into themes of lies, racism, and repression, highlighting how historical injustices continue to influence modern society. According to the jury, the novel stands out for its multilingual structure, blending factual elements with fiction. The text moves seamlessly between time periods, creating both intimacy and distance. The interplay between real and invented characters adds depth to the narrative, allowing readers to reflect on the continuity of historical trauma. The Frankfurt Book Fair will officially open on Tuesday, with access for professionals beginning on Wednesday and the general public starting on Friday. The fair concludes on Sunday with the Peace Prize of the German Booksellers Association, to be awarded to French-British lawyer and writer Philippe Sands. Born in 1988 in Hermeskeil, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bazyar is the daughter of Iranian immigrants. She previously published two novels: Nachts ist es leise in Teheran (2016) and Drei Kameradinnen (2021). Her latest work continues her exploration of personal and collective memory, particularly in relation to German history. The jury praised Die Lücken for its ability to address long-standing issues in German history while remaining relevant to today’s political climate. They highlighted the novel’s complex narrative structure and its capacity to challenge societal indifference toward historical and contemporary injustices.