Erich-Mühsam-Gesellschaft

The Erich-Mühsam-Gesellschaft e. V. (E.M.G.) is a German registered association founded in Lübeck on 6 April 1989, on what would have been the 111th birthday of the anarchist German writer, publicist and antimilitarist Erich Mühsam (1878–1934). Its stated purpose is to inform the public about the anarchist author and to make his works accessible to an interested readership. The association describes itself as politically, racially and confessionally neutral, and seeks to preserve Mühsam's memory for the future. In the spirit of Mühsam, the society works for social justice, peace and human dignity and against oppression and discrimination, using the libertarian literature of the anarchist. Its voluntary work is financed through donations, membership fees and the sale of publications. Once a year it holds the Erich-Mühsam-Tagung in Malente, a conference with readings, lectures, discussion circles and other events. The board consists of seven people, and internal content and objectives are determined by the active members. Since 1989 the society has published the series Schriften der Erich-Mühsam-Gesellschaft, which reached 52 issues as of 2025, and from 1989 to 2006 it issued 11 editions of the Mühsam-Magazin. An extensive archive is maintained in the Buddenbrookhaus in Lübeck. From 1993 to 2009, then from 2013 to 2022 and again in 2026, the society awarded the Erich-Mühsam-Preis, currently endowed with 3,000 euros, to individuals and groups who promote Mühsam's memory, disseminate his ideas and works, or work in his spirit by confronting contemporary cultural, political and social challenges and seeking liberating alternatives.

The Erich-Mühsam-Gesellschaft was founded on 6 April 1989 in Lübeck, on the 111th birthday of Erich Mühsam, with the aim of informing the public about the anarchist author and making his works accessible. Mühsam, born in Berlin on 6 April 1878 and killed in Oranienburg concentration camp on 10 July 1934, was an anarchist German writer, publicist and antimilitarist. As a registered association (e. V.), the society states that it is politically, racially and confessionally neutral and wishes to preserve the memory of the anarchist writer for the future. In Mühsam's spirit it works for social justice, peace and human dignity and against oppression and discrimination through the libertarian literature of the anarchist. Its voluntary work is financed by donations, membership fees and the sale of publications. Once a year the Erich-Mühsam-Tagung takes place in Malente with readings, lectures, discussion circles and other activities. The board consists of seven people, and internal content and objectives are determined by the active members. Events are among the society's activities, for example "Herrschaftsfreie Gesellschaftsmodelle in Geschichte und Gegenwart, sowie Perspektiven für die Zukunft" (Erich-Mühsam-Gesellschaft). Mühsam was known as a dramatist, cabaret artist, speaker, draughtsman, author of anarchist works and poet. In terms of publications, from 1989 to 2006 the society issued a total of 11 editions of the Mühsam-Magazin to provide information about Mühsam. In addition, the series Schriften der Erich-Mühsam-Gesellschaft has appeared since 1989, reaching 52 issues as of 2025. An extensive archive also exists in the Lübeck Buddenbrookhaus. From 1993 to 2009 the Erich-Mühsam-Gesellschaft awarded the Erich-Mühsam-Preis, initially every two years, then from 2013 to 2022 every three years, and again in 2026. The prize is currently endowed with 3,000 euros and is intended for those who promote Mühsam's memory by disseminating his thoughts and works or by scientifically examining his life and work, as well as for persons who act in Mühsam's spirit by confronting the cultural, political and social challenges of the present, not accepting conditions as given, but seeking liberating alternatives for a livable future. Past prize winners include: 1993 Graswurzelwerkstatt, Cologne; 1995 Andrea(s) Speck; 1997 Asylgruppe Ostertor in Bremen and the Lübeck alliance against racism; 1999 Dietrich Kittner; 2001 Mumia Abu-Jamal; 2003 the daily newspaper junge Welt; 2005 Felicia Langer; 2007 Komitee für Grundrechte und Demokratie; 2009 Gunter Demnig; 2013 publisher Andreas W. Hohmann (Edition AV) and Jochen Schmück; 2016 Konstantin Wecker, with a sponsorship prize for the Lübecker Flüchtlingsforum; 2019 Chris Hirte and Conrad Piens, with a sponsorship prize for the Wanderverein Bakuninhütte; 2022 Rolf Verleger (posthumously); 2026 Jens-Christian Wagner.

• 2026

  Erich-Mühsam-Preis awarded to Jens-Christian Wagner.

• 2025

  Schriften der Erich-Mühsam-Gesellschaft reaches 52 issues.

• 2022

  Erich-Mühsam-Preis awarded posthumously to Rolf Verleger.

• 2019

  Erich-Mühsam-Preis awarded to Chris Hirte and Conrad Piens; sponsorship prize to Wanderverein Bakuninhütte.

• 2016

  Erich-Mühsam-Preis awarded to Konstantin Wecker; sponsorship prize to Lübecker Flüchtlingsforum.

• 2013

  Erich-Mühsam-Preis resumes, awarded every three years (to Andreas W. Hohmann and Jochen Schmück).

• 2009

  Erich-Mühsam-Preis awarded to Gunter Demnig; pause in the award cycle follows.

• 2006

  Mühsam-Magazin ceases publication after 11 issues.

• 1993

  First Erich-Mühsam-Preis awarded (to Graswurzelwerkstatt, Cologne).

• 1989

  Erich-Mühsam-Gesellschaft founded in Lübeck on 6 April, Mühsam's 111th birthday.

• 1989

  Publication of the Schriften der Erich-Mühsam-Gesellschaft series begins; Mühsam-Magazin also begins.

A non-profit, politically, racially and confessionally neutral registered association dedicated to preserving and disseminating the memory and libertarian literature of Erich Mühsam.

• Schriften der Erich-Mühsam-Gesellschaft

  Publication series issued since 1989; 52 issues as of 2025.

• Mühsam-Magazin

  Magazine published 1989–2006, 11 issues total.

• Erich-Mühsam-Preis

  Award endowed with 3,000 euros, given 1993–2009, 2013–2022 and 2026.

• Erich-Mühsam-Tagung

  Annual conference in Malente with readings, lectures and discussion circles.

• Archive at the Buddenbrookhaus

  Extensive archive maintained in the Lübeck Buddenbrookhaus.

1. 1Startseite - Erich-Mühsam-Gesellschaft e. V.erich-muehsam.de
2. 2Erich-Mühsam-Gesellschaftwikidata.org
3. 3Erich-Mühsam-Gesellschaftde.wikipedia.org