Munich – October 30, 2026 -- Annette Dittert's "Dear Britain" has won the Bayern 2 audience award at the Bavarian Book Prize, chosen by radio listeners from five titles. The winner was announced on Thursday evening, October 29, at the ceremony in Munich's Allerheiligen-Hofkirche.
Listeners picked Dittert's book over four other bestsellers
The five nominees were bestsellers in Bavarian bookshops this year. Besides "Dear Britain", the shortlist included "Lázár" by Nelio Biedermann, "Nein sagen" by Matthias Brandt, "Die Riesinnen" by Hannah Häffner and "Pina fällt aus" by Vera Zischke. Listeners named Dittert's book their favorite for 2026.
Dittert takes stock of Britain ten years after Brexit
Dittert, a longtime ARD correspondent in London, describes a polarized society with huge gaps between rich and poor. English, Scottish and Welsh identities pull apart, and community spirit sits alongside stubborn individualism. Her cast includes treasure hunters on the Thames riverbed, women who keep swimming despite sewage at the beach, gardeners, lords and a former gangster. The DuMont-Verlag book is entertaining, the release says, and just as political.
Broadcaster plans a #BayernLiest focus next year
BR director-general Katja Wildermuth said literature opens new perspectives on society. She added that Bayerischer Rundfunk will bundle its book coverage into a #BayernLiest focus next year.
The ceremony aired live on Bayern 2 from 20:03. A jury chose the winners in the fiction and nonfiction categories after a live debate. Journalist, filmmaker and author Stefan Aust received the Bavarian Minister-President's honorary prize. From October 30, the Bayern 2 literature podcast "Buchgefühl. Lesung und Gespräch" features Dittert in ARD Sounds.