Thanks for special commitment: Lord Mayor awards honorary pin of the City of Leipzig
Nine volunteers from Leipzig were honored today by Lord Mayor Burkhard Jung with the honorary certificate and the honorary pin of the City of Leipzig for their commitment in the social, cultural or political field at a ceremony in the New Town Hall. In front of numerous invited guests, the Lord Mayor emphasized the extraordinary importance of voluntary work for togetherness in the city community. The event was accompanied by music from Angelina, Valentin and Michael Arnold.
Presentation of the 2025 honorees:
Axel Ackermann (age: 55 years)
For many years, Axel Ackermann has been a volunteer for inclusion in sport and, since this year, has also been a board member of the newly founded association Sport for All - Leipzig e. V.. He introduces children and young people with disabilities to sports clubs and is (co-)responsible for many events, such as the Inclusive Sports Festival (which will be held for the 6th time in 2025) or the joint soccer tournament for children from special and mainstream schools. He has supported the founding of inclusive sports teams and the soccer league for people with and without disabilities. As honorary fan representative for inclusion at RB Leipzig, he has ensured, among other things, that sign language interpreters, the blind report and match day booklets in Braille were introduced.
Mathias Bessel (age: 57)
Since 1993, Mathias Bessel has been involved with outstanding continuity and great personal commitment in the Leipzig Fire Department and the Leipzig Volunteer Fire Brigade. His voluntary work goes far beyond the normal level. He is not only involved in the active fire department, but also continuously develops strategies for the further development of the fire department - for the trade fair city of Leipzig, the Free State of Saxony and also at a national level. It represents the interests of the Leipzig Volunteer Fire Brigade in various specialist and top-level committees. During the UEFA EURO 2024 in Leipzig, he coordinated full-time and volunteer emergency services together to protect the city of Leipzig.
Uwe Herzfeld (age: 70)
Uwe Herzfeld has been a member and honorary treasurer of Messestadt-Verkehrswacht Leipzig e.V. since 1993. He is passionate about greater understanding and mutual consideration in road traffic. To this end, he is involved in road safety days at children's daycare centers, where he teaches the little ones how to handle play vehicles on the bicycle-scooter-wheel-course, or at elementary school, where he presents a roadworthy bicycle and traffic signs. Messestadt-Verkehrswacht Leipzig e. V. also has exciting offers for young people. For example, Uwe Herzfeld explains at vocational schools how dangerous the blind spot is for cyclists or how the consumption of intoxicants affects perception using intoxication and cannabis goggles.
Bui Quang Huy (age: 63 years)
Bùi Quang Huy, chairman of the Association of Vietnamese Leipzig e. V., founded in 1997, has been involved as a mediator between the Vietnamese community and the city of Leipzig for over 20 years. The association provides support in dealing with the authorities, offers language courses and educational support and organizes cultural events. Another important aspect is strengthening the city partnership between the city of Leipzig and Ho Chi Minh City and promoting international cooperation. Bùi Quang Huy motivates the members of the association to take action on specific occasions for the benefit of the entire urban community. During the coronavirus pandemic, for example, it raised 8,000 euros and association members spent months sewing masks.
Petra Knötzsch (age: 80)
Petra Knötzsch began her voluntary work for Freiwilligen-Agentur Leipzig in 2008. Many volunteer hours went into approaching companies in the social marketplace format in Leipzig, she has represented the association as a board member since 2010 and was active as honorary chairwoman for eleven years. Petra Knötzsch played a decisive role in the strategic direction of the association and its further development. In addition, she was and is always involved in operational activities. At times, she was in charge of various areas of public relations work. She is still involved to this day, for example in editing the newsletter, which she once launched, or in the Leipzig Volunteer Pass project.
Bernd Merbitz (age: 69 years)
Since 2018, Bernd Merbitz has been guiding the fortunes of SC DHfK Leipzig in all areas with tireless commitment - as president, entertainer at the children's Halloween, mediator at club meetings, announcer at the charity marathon, in conversation with the top Olympic athletes or in exchange with the senior athletes. In addition to "his green and white sports family", he is also on hand when a network needs to be activated for sport in Leipzig or a politician needs to be convinced, formulating demands in no uncertain terms. He provides particular support to projects where he contributes his expertise as a long-standing police commissioner. For example, he played a key role in supporting the local "Security" working group for the 2024 European Football Championships in the preparations for and during the event.
Florian Reiner (age: 31)
Florian Reiner has played a major role in the existence of the Tilia scout tribe. As an active founding member, he has been the chairman of the association for eight years and is responsible for most of the organizational management. He has been a group leader for eleven years and inspires children and young people from all social classes between the ages of 6 and 21 to join the scouts. The focus is on community, fun, political commitment and the environment on the one hand, and a simple life, adventure and nature on the other - at the camps. There, scouts experience that they can achieve goals together with others and with their own efforts. This strengthens self-confidence, independence and the ability to take responsibility.
Susanne Siems (age: 61)
Susanne Siems is committed to the interests of people with blindness and visual impairments. Being severely visually impaired herself, she contributes her knowledge and experience on a voluntary basis. On the Advisory Board for People with Disabilities, she has been working to remove barriers in public spaces and the digital sphere since 2019. As deputy chairwoman (since 2018) of the Saxony Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Leipzig-Stadt district organization), she develops inclusive offers for people with and without disabilities, such as the popular open afternoons. Blind and visually impaired visitors benefit from her passion for gardening through the audio guide she co-developed or her guided tour through the Botanical Garden's scent and touch garden.
Prof. Dr. Gisela Weiß (age: 55 years)
Professor Gisela Weiß, Professor of Museology with a focus on museum education since 2006, has supported the Leipzig School Museum as a member and chair of the Scientific Advisory Board for almost 20 years. With her extensive experience, she advises the museum management in particular on the further development of existing exhibitions and the new conception of content and educational communication methods. In addition, Prof. Weiß has been involved in the further development of the Matthäikirchhof site and the planned "Forum for Freedom and Civil Rights or Democracy Campus" since 2017. As a representative of the School Museum in cooperation with the HTWK Leipzig and the University of Leipzig, she is examining concepts for long-term and effective educational work.
Summary:
The awarding of the badge of honor to nine committed Leipzig individuals underlines the high esteem in which voluntary work is held in Leipzig. Mayor Burkhard Jung honored personalities who are involved in social, cultural or political areas. The event showcased the diversity and tireless commitment of the honorees, whose dedication enriches the city of Leipzig.
