The award ceremony took place as part of a town reception in the Ratskeller in Salzgitter-Bad. Mayor Frank Klingebiel welcomed around 100 guests with a quote from former German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, who once said: "Honors, that's when justice has its good day." He added that it was an evening "on which we want to thank exceptionally committed personalities in our urban society." The evening was accompanied by music from Klaus Händel on the saxophone.

The laudatory speeches for the honorees were given by Lord Mayor Frank Klingebiel for Elke Behmer-Geisler, Rosemarie Hinrichs and Claus Griesbach, First Mayor Stefan Klein for Monika Metze and Rainer Kreismer and Second Mayor Christian Striese for Sabine Genther and the band nullbock.

Claus Griesbach's honorary lifetime achievement since 1998 has been the rescue of the commercial CINEMA, which was facing closure, by highly committed volunteers who simply lent a hand in times of need. Mayor Frank Klingebiel emphasized in his laudatory speech: "No more cinema in Salzgitter-Bad - that's not possible!" was the motto of our award winner and his fellow campaigners at the time. Without further ado, our community cinema was founded and has been run on a voluntary basis for 28 years; voluntarily, out of deep conviction and with great passion and creativity! Our community cinema has become his second home, which he cherishes and cares for and puts his heart and soul into making it fit for the future."

Stefan Klein held the laudatory speech for Monika Metze, who was a founding member of the hospice initiative and is particularly passionate about children and youth bereavement work. "Doing something good for people in challenging life situations was and is her concern. She wants to help, encourage and support, together with her fellow campaigners," he said in his laudatory speech about her commitment.

In his tribute to Sabine Genther, Christian Striese summed up her commitment as head of the SOS Mothers' Center in one sentence: "Acting together for our MüZe family, the community and togetherness in Salzgitter." She was director for 20 years and played a key role in developing the center. "It was a matter close to her heart and a calling," Striese emphasized in conclusion.

Elke Behmer-Geisler was the fourth recipient of the city medal. In his laudatory speech, Klingebiel praised her outstanding commitment: "Our award winner has the DNA of our city in her blood: charity and simply doing things! For 35 years, she has worked passionately, vehemently and assertively as a member of the Works Council - including almost 32 years in management positions - and for almost 50 years as a member of the IG Metall trade union, she has worked hard for the interests of the workforce and to secure the future of our MAN plant. This was her vocation out of deep conviction! In times of crisis, when the livelihoods of the people and the company were at stake, our award winner also went beyond her limits. In all her trade union functions, our leader has always seen and helped shape the positive development of our city and our democracy."

Rainer Kreismer has led the fanfare band of the Gebhardshagen volunteer fire department since 1997. Stefan Klein emphasized in his laudatory speech: "He has rebuilt the fanfare band with verve and competence. He is the head, heart and pacemaker of the fanfare band, which is a musical ambassador for our town and makes many people happy with its music."

The sixth award of the City Medal, which was presented to the punk rock band nullbock, was also marked by music. The band, which was founded in 1998, "rocked" over 100,000 euros for charity. Christian Striese emphasized their role as the city's charity band: "nullbock could also call themselves vollbock, because they are really into music and helping other people.

Rosemarie Hinrichs received the seventh award as founder and deputy chairwoman of the BUND district group in Salzgitter and for her almost 25 years of commitment to the council and local council northwest of the city of Salzgitter. Mayor Frank Klingebiel paid tribute to her work and emphasized: "She is a passionate, competent and strong voice against the Konrad mine and for peace, democracy, ecological education and sustainable action. For three decades, her voluntary work has been dedicated to the people in our city and the natural foundations of life - our nature! That is commendable and exemplary!"

Background:

The basis for the awarding of the City Medals in Gold were proposals made by Lord Mayor Frank Klingebiel and the parliamentary groups of the Salzgitter City Council, which were all unanimously agreed upon in the Council of Elders. The broad political consensus on the exceptional merits of the honorees was demonstrated by the unanimous decision of the Salzgitter City Council at its meeting on 29.10.2025, on which the award is based.