Düsseldorf, Germany – June 6, 2024 – Messe Düsseldorf, in partnership with the Faculty of Philosophy at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU), today presented the esteemed drupa Prize 2024 to Dr. Daria Vakhrushova for her groundbreaking dissertation, "Rote Juden: Der jiddisch-sowjetische Kulturentwurf 1917-1934" ("The Red Jews: Yiddish-Soviet Cultural Design 1917-1934").
Celebrating Academic Excellence and Fostering Scholarly Advancement
The drupa Prize, accompanied by a €6,000 grant, is awarded annually to a distinguished young scholar from HHU's Faculty of Philosophy. The award ceremony, held during the prestigious drupa 2024 international printing technologies trade fair, was graced by the presence of prominent figures from Messe Düsseldorf, Koenig & Bauer, and HHU.
Unveiling a Hidden Chapter in Cultural Evolution
Dr. Vakhrushova's dissertation, lauded with the highest academic accolade of summa cum laude, offers a fresh perspective on the largely unexplored landscape of Yiddish-Soviet cultural design between 1917 and 1934. Through meticulous research and a multidisciplinary approach, she examines the intricate relationship between artistic expression and political ideology during this transformative era.
A Tour de Force of Interdisciplinary Scholarship
The Faculty of Philosophy at HHU recognized Dr. Vakhrushova for her meticulous analysis of previously untapped archival sources and her innovative synthesis of cultural, literary, and linguistic methodologies. The drupa Prize committee acknowledged the exceptional quality of her research, highlighting its potential to reshape our understanding of Yiddish-Soviet cultural dynamics.
About Dr. Daria Vakhrushova
Dr. Daria Vakhrushova is a distinguished cultural and literary scholar, holding a diploma in translation and translation theory from N.-A. Dobrolyubov State Linguistic University of Nizhny Novgorod (Russia) and a master's degree in Yiddish language, literature, and culture from HHU. Following the completion of her doctoral studies at HHU in 2022, she has been contributing her expertise as a Yiddish lecturer at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich.
About the drupa Prize
Established in 1978, the drupa Prize is a collaborative effort between Messe Düsseldorf and HHU, aimed at recognizing and supporting outstanding scholarly contributions in the humanities. The prize money is specifically allocated to facilitate the publication and dissemination of the winning research, ensuring its broader reach and impact within the academic community and beyond.