Geretsried: Helmut Hahn receives the city's culture prize
Created: 07/05/2022, 18:02
By: Peter Herrmann
In front of the town hall: cultural advisor Hans Ketelhut (l.), Anita Zwicknagl from the cultural office and mayor Michael Müller (r.) congratulated the new culture award winner Helmut Hahn.
© Herrmann
Geretsried – Helmut Hahn from Geretsried recently received the city's culture prize.
He is chairman of the Eghalanda Gmoi z'Geretsried, founding member and tuba player of the Gartenberger Bunkerblasmusik and chairman of the Friends of the Geretsrieder Heimatmuseum.
In addition, Helmut Hahn is involved as vice-chairman of the City Friendship Association.
Now the 59-year-old has received the Culture Prize.
"You are an indispensable part of cultural life in our time," Mayor Michael Müller praised the award winner.
At a press conference in the town hall, Helmut Hahn appeared modest.
"I didn't expect that," admitted the 59-year-old.
As a child he took part in the traditional Easter ratchet tradition and joined the Eghalanda Gmoi at the age of nine.
His father, who died at the age of 46, set up a homestead in the old fire station in the Gartenberg district, which was considered the forerunner of today's city museum on Graslitzer Straße.
Today his son supports this institution as chairman of the Friends of the Local History Museum.
The head of the cultural office, Anita Zwicknagl, referred to Hahn's merits in promoting international understanding.
After all, he has family roots in Egerland and in the Hungarian twin town of Puztavám.
"Mediator between East and West"
On trips to the Czech Republic, the qualified engineer did a lot for reconciliation between the locals and the displaced.
"I see him as a mediator between East and West," explained Zwicknagl.
Cultural advisor Hans Ketelhut joined the hymns of praise.
"He is someone who is integrated into the population and cultivates traditional values," emphasized Ketelhut.
For Hahn himself, this culture award is of great importance.
"It's more important than the Oscar because it's awarded less frequently," he joked.
The city has presented the award every two years since 2005.
Previous award winners were Dr.
Otto Rothe, Wolfram Weisse, Ingrid Obser, Roland Hammerschmied, Albrecht Widmann, Ingeborg Heinrichsen, Werner Sebb and the Gelting marching band.
Citizens had the opportunity to submit proposals for the culture prize until April 29 this year.
Afterwards, a non-public consultation took place in the culture committee.
The decision for Helmut Hahn was finally made by the city council.
He accepted the award and a sculpture at a ceremony in the Ratsstubensaal, accompanied by the Gartenberger bunker brass band.