Michael Naumann facts for kids
Michael Naumann (born on December 8, 1941) is a well-known German politician, publisher, and journalist. He served as Germany's first Secretary of Culture from 1998 to 2001. He is married to Marie Warburg.
From 2012 to 2021, Naumann was the director of the Barenboim–Said Academy in Berlin, a place that helps young musicians learn and grow.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Michael Naumann was born in Köthen, Germany. His father was a lawyer who sadly passed away in 1942 during a big battle called the Battle of Stalingrad. When Michael was eleven, in 1953, he and his mother had to move to Hamburg. They had to leave because his mother was being watched by the government in East Germany due to her connections with Jewish relatives who had moved to the USA.
Naumann studied a lot! He earned a PhD in political science from Munich University in 1969. He then continued his studies at Queen's College, Oxford in England. He wrote important papers on topics like heroism and theories of revolution.
Career
In Publishing and Media
Michael Naumann has worked for some very famous German newspapers and magazines. He worked for Der Spiegel and Die Zeit. At Die Zeit, he became a chief-editor and later a publisher. A publisher is someone who helps decide which books or articles get printed and sold.
In 1985, Naumann became the publisher of Rowohlt Verlag, a big publishing house. Later, he moved to New York and led other publishing companies like Metropolitan Books and Henry Holt. He also hosted a political talk show on German television called Talk im Palais from 2004 to 2007. From 2010 to 2012, he was the chief-editor and publisher of Cicero magazine.
Political Career
Secretary of Culture
From 1998 to 2001, Naumann held a very important job: he was the first Secretary of Culture for the German government. This role means he was in charge of cultural affairs and media for the whole country.
One of his most remembered actions was choosing the design for the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin. This memorial honors the Jewish people who were killed during the Holocaust. Naumann helped pick the final design, which included an underground "Place of Information" to teach visitors about the history of the Holocaust.
Mayor Candidate in Hamburg
In late 2007, Michael Naumann became the candidate for mayor of Hamburg for the Social Democratic Party of Germany. The election was held on February 24, 2008.
During his campaign, Naumann focused on important issues for the city. He wanted to improve social welfare, make education better, and upgrade Hamburg's infrastructure, like roads and public services. He also talked about the importance of listening to citizens through referendums and having an honest city government.
Even though he didn't win the election, the Social Democrats gained more votes compared to the previous election. After the election, Naumann decided to return to his work as a publisher for Die Zeit.
Other Activities
Michael Naumann is also involved in several important organizations:
- Einstein Forum: He is a member of their Board of Trustees.
- Jewish Museum Berlin: He is a member of their Board of Trustees.
- Museum Berggruen: He is a member of the International Council.
Recognition
Michael Naumann has received awards for his work:
- 2006 – Julius Campe Prize
- 2018 – Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
