13/05/2026
Some evenings remain beautiful memories. Others become part of a lifelong journey.
On the 8th of May, inside the historic Bremen City Hall in Germany, Peace of Art witnessed one of the most emotional and meaningful moments in its journey during the 12th International Bremen Peace Award ceremony, organized by Stiftung die schwelle.
During the ceremony, Mr. Mahdi Yahya — founder of Peace of Art — received the International Bremen Peace Prize in the category of "Pioneering Peace Work", in recognition of years of humanitarian and cultural engagement dedicated to dialogue, peacebuilding, human dignity, and supporting communities affected by war and displacement.
The evening opened with a heartfelt speech by Annette Klasing, President of Stiftung die schwelle, who reflected on Mahdi Yahya’s humanitarian and cultural journey and on the mission of Peace of Art in using art, culture, and dialogue to build bridges between people and communities during times of crisis and conflict.
This was followed by a deeply moving laudatio delivered by Karoline Linnert — former Mayor of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, former Senator of Finance, former Deputy President of the Senate of Bremen, and patron of the International Bremen Peace Prize. Her speech focused on Mahdi Yahya’s humanitarian path, the message behind his work, and the responsibility of continuing to stand for peace and humanity in difficult times.
Music also became a powerful part of the evening. The orchestra of Gesamtschule Ost filled the historic hall with emotional performances, while guitarist Aladdin Haddad dedicated a special musical composition in honor of Mahdi Yahya — a tribute carrying themes of memory, resilience, struggle, and hope.
During the second part of the ceremony, journalist Thomas Joppig led an open conversation with Mahdi Yahya about the humanitarian reality in Lebanon, addressing displacement, destroyed villages, the suffering of civilians, and the importance of continuing humanitarian and cultural work to amplify the voices of affected communities.
At the conclusion of the evening, Mahdi Yahya officially received the International Bremen Peace Prize, joined on stage by Vera Al Mawla, president of Peace of Art, who was also honored with a flower in recognition of her important role and continuous contribution to the organization’s humanitarian and cultural journey.
More than an award ceremony, the evening became a reminder that even in times of war, division, and uncertainty, humanity, dialogue, culture, and art remain powerful acts of hope.
Photo credits: Stiftung die schwelle / Jens Lehmkühler