Anna Seghers, German writer, 80th birthday
Nov. 11, 1980 - The German writer Anna Seghers celebrates her 80th birthday. Born in Mainz, West Germany she belonged to the KPD since 1928 and 1933 she had to leave Germany. At first she went to France into exile and 1941 at last she fled from the German troops to Mexico. 1947 she went back to East Berlin and 1952 she became president of the DDR writer association. Several times Anna Seghers was awarded. beside the Buchner-prize 1947 she got also the prize of the DDR, the national distinguished service prize of the DDR, the national distinguished service order in silver and gold, the honorary doctorate of the university of Jena and 1975 honorary citizenship of East Berlin. In May 1978 for reasons of health she resigned from her function as president of the writers association and was elected honorary president. of her works especially to mention are her literary first production Aufstand Der Fischer Von St Barbara (1928) (Revolt of the Fishermen of St Barbara), for which she was awarded with the Kleist-prize, as well as Das Siebte Kreuz (1941) (The Seventh Cross), Transit (1944), Die Entshcheidung (1959) (The Decision), Die Kraft der Schwachen (1965) (The Power of the Weak), Das Vertrauen (1968) (Trust) and Uberfahrt (1971) (Crossing)
