Prize for the panicky: Udo Lindenberg is an honorary citizen of Hamburg
The contents in the “archives” were created and posted by the previous owners of this website. We are not responsible for any misleading or incorrect content that is posted here.
Award for the panic rocker
Udo Lindenberg is an honorary citizen of Hamburg
09/07/2022 22:03
Now it’s official, the rock musician Udo Lindenberg is an honorary citizen of Hamburg. Mayor Peter Tschentscher presented the prize to the 76-year-old during a ceremony today. This makes Udo Lindenberg the 37th honorary citizen of the city.
Many fans wanted him to become president of the Federal Republic. After all, panic rocker Udo Lindenberg has been an honorary citizen of Hamburg since Wednesday – and that is the highest award the city of Hamburg can bestow. The native Westphalian from Gronau, who has lived in Hamburg since the late 1960s, joins an illustrious group of personalities.
In addition to politicians such as former chancellor Helmut Schmidt and writers such as Siegfried Lenz, the recently deceased footballer Uwe Seeler, Hamburg ballet director John Neumeier, children’s book author Kirsten Boie and entrepreneur Michael Otto are among the honorary citizens of Hamburg. Since Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Tettenborn was first made an honorary citizen in 1813, Lindenberg has been the city’s 37th honorary citizen and, after Johannes Brahms, the first personality from the music world.
Mayor Peter Tschentscher introduced him on the occasion of his 75th birthday in May 2021. Due to the long-term corona restrictions, the prize could only be awarded now. With the exception of the AfD, all MPs were enthusiastic about the idea and approved the Senate proposal by a large majority.
Tschentscher appreciates not only the music
In addition to his musical achievements, Mayor Tschentscher paid tribute to Lindenberg’s efforts to promote understanding in Germany and his commitment to combating violence, right-wing extremism and discrimination. “He is an ambassador for tolerance, peace and freedom. In other words: Udo Lindenberg is a Hanseatic citizen, not by birth, but by conviction.” Hamburg’s second mayor, Katharina Fegebank, emphasized: “We are incredibly proud that he has made Hamburg his home and has become a role model for many artists.” Hamburg carries its name and its sound in its heart, “for now and forever”!
CDU faction leader Dennis Thering said Lindenberg’s music is definitely part of the history of German reunification. “Through his work he has been associated with Hamburg for years as a musician and also as a graphic artist, as a painter.” After the vote of the citizens, a ceremony was planned in the main ballroom of the city hall, at which numerous prominent guests were expected.
Lindenberg was born on May 17, 1946 in Gronau. He has lived in Hamburg since the late 1960s and in a suite at the Hotel Atlantic since the 1990s. His biography and work are closely associated with Hamburg and Northern Germany. “Udo Lindenberg helped break German-language rock music and made it successful for decades with distinctive language and time-related lyrics,” the Senate announced last year. His efforts to gain understanding within Germany are part of the history of reunification.
