Jean‐Marie Lehn awarded the 2025 Primo Levi Prize in Rome

On December 3, 2025, the Italian Chemical Society (SCI), the German Chemical Society (GDCh), and the Centro Internazionale di Studi Primo Levi, jointly presented the Primo Levi Award 2025 to Professor Jean-Marie Lehn, born 1939 in Rosheim, Alsace region (France). The prestigious ceremony was held at the Sala Zuccari in Palazzo Giustiniani at the Senate of the Republic of Italy in Rome.

The evening started with institutional greetings from Senator Elena Cattaneo of the Senate of the Republic of Italy. Gianluca Maria Farinola, President of the SCI, and Stefanie Dehnen, President of the GDCh, officially opened the celebration, which was dedicated to international understanding and cooperation. Fabio Levi, representing the Centro Internazionale di Studi Primo Levi, delivered a speech that highlighted the significance of the award and its connection to the legacy of Primo Levi, the renowned Italian chemist and writer.

In recognition of the international character of the award, the motivations for honoring Jean-Marie Lehn were read in Italian, German, and English. Stefanie Dehnen then delivered a laudatio, acknowledging the laureate‘s outstanding contributions to the chemical community.

Jean-Marie Lehn, who has been an honorary member of GDCh since 1998, was recognized for consistently demonstrating the power of science as a pivotal force in promoting European scientific cohesion and transnational cooperation in the post-Cold War era. In addition to his scientific achievements, which were rewarded with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1987, he played a crucial role in overcoming historical boarders, contributing significantly to harmonizing chemical research and education across the continent. Without his initiative, the joint European publishing endeavor known as Chemistry Europe — launched with the first common publication, Chemistry: A European Journal — might never have come into existence.

Through his leadership role at the International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development (IOCD), Lehn significantly advanced the chemical sciences for sustainable development, particularly in developing countries. His core belief that “Science is a vector of peace, development, and progress. It is universal. It should be shared universally“ perfectly aligns with the ethical legacy of Primo Levi and underscores his commitment to human values and scientific integrity.

The highlight of the evening was Jean-Marie Lehn‘s lecture, in which the award recipient shared insights from his distinguished career and his firm belief that science knows no borders.

The proceedings concluded with closing remarks, final greetings, and a joint dinner. On the following day, December 4, the awardee and participants gathered again in the premises of the Italian Chemical Society and learned about its history, especially highlighting the activities of renowned Italian chemists Cannizzaro and Paternò.

The ceremony, held at the historic venue within the Italian Senate, underscored the strong ties between the Italian and German chemical communities and their shared commitment to Primo Levi‘s goals.

Karin J. Schmitz, pr@gdch.de

GDCh