Former Mayor of Chemnitz Dr Peter Seifert receives "Hot Potato" media award
Mayor Ludwig: "His work has immeasurable and lasting value for Chemnitz"
On Friday evening, the former Lord Mayor of Chemnitz, Dr Peter Seifert, was honoured with the "Hot Potato" business and media award from the Central German Press Club in Leipzig. The award honours his achievements as Lord Mayor of Chemnitz between 1993 and 2006.
The laudatory speech for Dr Seifert was held by his successor in office, Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig. "Peter Seifert led Chemnitz with great foresight, empathy, assertiveness and perseverance. He turned a radical change in the early 1990s into a new beginning for the city. His course-setting has turned Chemnitz into a modern, successful industrial city. His work in business, science, sport and culture, and not least in the creation of a new city centre, has immeasurable and lasting value for Chemnitz," said Ludwig.
The award is presented annually to people whose achievements symbolise tackling "hot potatoes" instead of dropping them. Dr Seifert was honoured for his services to the city of Chemnitz and its successful path to becoming a modern industrial city. In particular, the almost complete redevelopment of the city centre, which is unique in Germany, is closely linked to his name. But Seifert has also achieved a great deal in the promotion of science and sport in the city. He is still Chairman of the Chemnitz University of Technology Sponsors' Association and President of LAC Erdgas Chemnitz.
The "Hot Potato" has been awarded since 1992. Winners have included Hans-Dietrich Genscher, Kurt Biedenkopf and Kurt Masur. In 2010, the prize was awarded to Ingrid Mössinger, Director of the Chemnitz Art Collections.