Odenwaldkreis honors cultural preservationists: singers and breeders in focus!

Odenwaldkreis honors cultural preservationists: singers and breeders in focus!

The Odenwaldkreis honored 35 singers and small animal breeders in a festive setting on November 16, 2025 in the Würzberg village community center. In his speech, District Administrator Frank Matiaske emphasized the importance of these groups for the cultural heritage of the region. While the singers contribute to cultural diversity with their native songs, the small animal breeders make an important contribution to preserving the culinary and cultural heritage by breeding old animal breeds.

Particularly in the spotlight was Peter Arras from MGV Eintracht Beerfurth, who was honored for an incredible 70 years of choral singing and received the longest applause of the evening. A total of 18 singers were honored for long-term memberships ranging from 40 to 70 years in their choirs. Britta Ziefle from the district choir association emphasized the social cohesion that choirs promote. The evening's musical accompaniment was provided by several choirs from the region, whose performances created a festive atmosphere.

Successes of small animal breeders

The honor also included the recognition of 17 small animal breeders who were honored for their successes at animal shows in the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 breeding years. The young talent in this division was also specifically highlighted. Thomas Kaiser, Chairman of Pedigree Poultry Breeders, took the opportunity to point out the challenges posed by avian influenza. He campaigned for better vaccination options in order to promote breeding and animal welfare.

These awards are not only a sign of appreciation for the voluntary work of the participants, but also reflect the high value of the cultural traditions in the region. With so much commitment and passion shown by these guardians of culture, the future of the Odenwald district is in good hands.

In summary, it can be said that the celebration in the village community center not only paid tribute to the deserving actors, but also impressively demonstrated the rich cultural diversity of the Odenwald district. A big thank you goes to everyone who is committed to preserving these traditions and thereby strengthening the community.