Helmut Preißler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Helmut Preißler
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Helmut Preissler (2009)
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| Born | 16 December 1925 |
| Died | 20 December 2010 Bad Saarow, Brandenburg, Germany
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| Nationality | Germany |
| Occupation | Writer poet |
| Political party | SED |
Helmut Preißler (born 16 December 1925 in Cottbus; died 20 December 2010 in Bad Saarow) was a German writer and poet. He wrote many books, including novels, poetry, and stories for children.
Contents
About Helmut Preißler
His Early Life and Education
Helmut Preißler was born in Cottbus, a city in Germany. His father worked as a weaver, making cloth. His mother worked in the clothing industry. When he finished school, Helmut started learning about road building and water management.
When he was 13, World War II began. Towards the end of the war, he became a soldier. From 1945 to 1947, he was a prisoner of war in Belgium. In 1948, he helped clear landmines from the Rhine River.
After the war, Germany needed many new teachers. Helmut joined a special fast-track program to become a teacher. He taught in Cottbus until 1955. Then, he went to study at the German Institute for Literature. He also worked there as a teaching assistant.
Working as a Writer and Cultural Official
From 1958 to 1965, Helmut Preißler worked at a large steel factory in Eisenhüttenstadt. He was a "Cultural Official" for the country's main trade union. This meant he helped organize cultural events and activities for the workers.
In 1965, he started a similar job at the Kleist-Theater in Frankfurt (Oder). He stayed there until 1981. From 1982 to 1987, he worked for the Frankfurt city council, also in a cultural role. After 1987, he became a full-time writer.
His Books and Other Works
Between 1957 and 1989, Helmut Preißler published at least one book every year. This made him one of the most productive writers in East Germany. He wrote many novels and poetry collections.
He also wrote books for children. His work was also used for radio shows and plays for the theatre. From 1966 to 1975, he was the Poetry Editor for a major literary newspaper called Neue Deutsche Literatur.
His Views and Politics
Supporting the Government
Helmut Preißler strongly supported the ruling political party in East Germany. This party was called the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED). He became a member of the Frankfurt regional council for the SED in 1974.
He also defended the building of the Berlin Wall in 1961. He wrote a poem about it called "No one comes through, comrades."
Records from the Stasi, which was the secret police in East Germany, show that Helmut Preißler provided them with information from 1960. He was known by the code name "IM Anton."
Awards and Prizes
Helmut Preißler received several awards for his work:
- 1960: Arts Prize of the Free German Youth
- 1966: Heinrich Heine Prize from the East German Culture Ministry
- 1971: National Prize of East Germany
- 1974: Patriotic Order of Merit
