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Culture

DW's 'Men of the Year': They're not all winners

Torsten Landsberg jt
November 10, 2017

As an alternative to GQ magazine's "Men of the Year," which includes Arnold Schwarzenegger, Philipp Lahm and Mark Foster, DW's culture department offers its own list of men who've had an impact in 2017.

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USA Mahershala Ali
Image: picture-alliance/empics/I. West

At first glance, actor and former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, football star Philipp Lahm and musician Mark Forster have very little in common — and the fact that they were all awarded the "GQ Men of the Year 2017" prize on Thursday does not make much difference. 

Read more: How Arnold Schwarzenegger, now 70, created his own American Dream

Nonetheless, the three laureates have joined the list of winners from previous years, which includes German actors Wotan Wilke Möhring and Til Schweiger or Canadian singer and songwriter Bryan Adams.

The German version of the US men's magazine has been holding the gala show since 1998, and just by looking at its website, it appears to be more a major advertisement campaign than anything else.

The criteria for the jury's picks aren't quite clear either. During his political career, Schwarzenegger contributed to protecting Californian climate and today is one of Trump's loud critics. The jury didn't make any mention his political commitment, however, rather awarding him the title "Legend of the Century" for his "century-lasting career."

Read more: Louis CK, Steven Seagal latest stars to face sexual assault allegations

Football player Philipp Lahm was honored as a "Sports Icon" despite his retirement last summer, but the jury at least emphasized his social commitment. Musician Mark Forster was acknowledged in the "Music National" as his hits are always being played on German radios — mostly commercial stations. 

GQ's awards inspired DW to prepare its own alternative list of "men of the year," reflecting the male personalities who have shaped the cultural environment in 2017 — whether in a negative or positive way. Click through the gallery above to find out who they are.