Honors for SPD veterans: Spangenberg celebrates 60 years of commitment!

Honors for SPD veterans: Spangenberg celebrates 60 years of commitment!

On November 2, 2025, Spangenberg was the venue for a festive honorary event at which deserving members of the SPD sub-district Schwalm-Eder were honored. The state parliament member Günter Rudolph and Jan Rauschenberg, the chairman of the northern sub-district, presented certificates and pins to the jubilarians as part of the ceremony. Lothar Plettenberg was honored for 25 years of membership within the SPD. Particularly noteworthy is the honor given to Hans-Jürgen Köbberling, who was able to celebrate an impressive 60 years of membership.

Köbberling, who was mayor of Spangenberg for 12 years from 2003 to 2015, can look back on a long and impressive political career. He was also a member of the Schwalm-Eder district council for almost 40 years until 2021 and thus made a significant contribution to local development. With these honors, the SPD not only recognizes the loyalty of its members, but also their extraordinary services to the community.

Honorary citizenship and municipal awards

In Germany, honorary citizenship is awarded to those individuals who have made a special contribution to the community. This honor can relate to various areas, such as local political commitment or artistic achievements. However, according to the Hessian municipal regulations, there are a few things to note here. For example, honorary citizenship can only be granted to living natural persons; deceased people are excluded. The award itself is carried out by the local council with a simple majority and does not entail any special rights or privileges. It is also possible to award special awards such as medals or rings of honor, as specified in the municipality's statutes.

Municipal honors are not only a form of recognition, but also an important part of democratic culture. Personalities who have worked for the common good for at least 20 years can be awarded so-called honorary titles. For example, an “honorary mayor” or “community elder” would be a conceivable award.

Katy Perry: A look outside the box

Away from the political stage, cultural greats like Katy Perry are also of interest. The singer was born in a strict religious environment and has experienced many ups and downs throughout her career. Her musical journey began in church, where she learned to sing at the age of nine. She later developed into one of the most successful musicians worldwide with numerous hit albums and awards. Her significant singles such as “I Kissed a Girl” and “Firework” made history and her “Teenage Dream” album received high sales worldwide. What many people may not know: Katy Perry also supported various social causes and became known for her commitment, for example as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Whether in politics or music, the voices of our time influence us and shape our society. Honors like the one in Spangenberg are not only important to recognize individual achievements, they are also a sign of cohesion and respect in the community. It is to be hoped that future generations will continue to actively and committedly lead the fate of their communities.