The Johannes-R.-Becher-Medaille was a civil decoration of East Germany created in homage to the poet and politician Johannes R. Becher. It was awarded by the Cultural Association of the GDR.
Description The medal is made of bronze, with a diameter of four centimetres. and shows on the obverse side a portrait of Johannes R. Becher surrounded by his name written in capital letters.Kleines ABC der Orden und Auszeichnungen
Award conditions It rewarded services "for the development of socialist culture in the GDR". It was awarded to individuals and communities from 1961 onwards for achievements in the fields of arts and culture, but also sports and recreation. The Johannes R. Becher Medal had three levels: bronze, silver and gold.
The award ceremony usually took place on 22 May, Johannes R. Becher's birthday.
Recipients 1961: Anna Seghers, Nathan Notowicz 1962: Hans Pischner, Ehm Welk, (Silver) 1963: Walter Womacka 1964: Gret Palucca (Gold), Dieter Noll 1965: (Gold) 1966: Harry Hindemith (Gold), Herbert Sandberg 1967: Richard Paulick (Gold), Herbert Ihering 1968: Erich Arendt, (Silver), , Bernhard Seeger 1969: Konrad Wolf (Gold), 1970: Barbara Dittus 1971: Herbert Scurla 1973: Annemarie Auer 1975: , Marja Kubašec 1978: Hanns Cibulka, (Gold) 1981: Inge Keller, Heinz Kahlau 1985: Helmut Baierl
Konstantin Fedin Hedwig Voegt
According to the German article, 171 people are recipients of this medal.
References
Further reading .