As of: February 7, 2024, 3:00 p.m
By: Peter Herrmann
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Handover: Roland Herzog (right), head of the Hochland youth settlement, accepted the check from (from left) Thomas Martin, Gerlinde Berchtold and Renato Wittstadt.
© Peter Herrmann
Award for the Hochland youth settlement in Königsdorf: It receives the Franz Geiger Prize, which was awarded for the first time.
Königsdorf – Roswitha Beyer, Christine Noisser and Renato Wittstadt founded an association almost 15 years ago with the aim of “promoting educational measures of all kinds” that was named after a well-known Wolfratshausen citizen.
He manages half of the assets of the late former SPD city councilor Franz Geiger.
“We use his legacy to support, for example, social institutions, educational projects and German courses for refugees,” explained current chairwoman Gerlinde Berchtold on Sunday at the start of the New Year’s reception in the Hochland youth settlement.
Shortly afterwards, the head of the Königsdorf educational institution, Roland Herzog, accepted the Franz Geiger Prize, which was awarded for the first time.
The democracy workshop has existed since 2019
The Hochland youth settlement has been committed to the political education of young people for many decades.
Herzog explained how this happens during a one-hour tour, which was followed by a ceremony with a check presentation.
“We are following our historical mission and would like to encourage young people to take a closer look,” explained Herzog.
This works particularly well with the democracy workshop set up on the first floor of the reception building in 2019.
Tour: Director Roland Herzog (3rd from left) invited the members of the Franz Geiger Association to take a tour of the youth settlement.
© Peter Herrmann
There, documents and exhibits also remind us of the brown past of the place where the Nazi ideology was once instilled in the Hitler Youth.
A memorial in the form of a campfire was created from rusted rifles and weapons that were discovered underground during construction work after the Second World War.
Historical sales contracts and maps can be seen in folders.
In addition, labeled colorful boxes remind us of the protection of human and fundamental rights.
With the help of the democracy game “Quararo”, young people can learn various strategies to resolve conflicts.
We need organizations like the Hochland youth settlement, which is committed to education and democracy.
Laudator Thomas Martin
In the outdoor area, an old water tower from the Nazi era is to be converted into a climbing tower in cooperation with the mountain rescue service.
“The tower is intended to provide a starting point for dealing with the Third Reich and to illustrate the invaluable values of our democracy,” explained Herzog.
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After the tour, club chairwoman Gerlinde Berchtold felt that the prize, which was awarded for the first time, was going to the right recipient.
“We need organizations like the Hochland youth settlement, which is committed to education and democracy,” she emphasized.
Laudator Thomas Martin pointed out that this was more necessary than ever given the current upswing in the AfD, which the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has classified as right-wing extremist.
“The concept of your democracy workshop is value-oriented and will last for a long time,” predicted Martin.
The handover ends musically
After receiving the 1,000 euro prize, Herzog didn't say many more words.
“The money is well spent here.
In doing so, you support our commitment,” he said happily.
He then picked up his guitar and, together with the folk music duo Laurenzi Buam, ensured a successful musical ending.
There was also applause from Kurt and Ingeborg Graf, who had met Franz Geiger, who died in 1967, personally in their childhood.
“He had a big heart and was very committed to ensuring that the people of Wolfratshausen had a decent pension insurance policy,” recalled Kurt Graf.
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