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Uckermark celebrates unity: three personalities honored with prizes!
On October 3, 2025, the Uckermark district will honor outstanding personalities for German unity with honorary awards.
Uckermark celebrates unity: three personalities honored with prizes!
Today, October 3, 2025, a sign of cohesion will once again be set in the Uckermark. Since 2011, people who have made outstanding contributions to coexistence in the region have traditionally been honored on German Unity Day. The ceremony took place in the district's cultural and plenary hall in Prenzlau and brought together numerous guests to honor the outstanding achievements of citizens. This honor comes in an important year that marks the 35th anniversary of reunification and thus brings back memories of democracy and freedom.
In her opening speech, District Administrator Karina Dörk (CDU) emphasized the honorees' commitment to a climate of respect and tolerance. “Peace and freedom are valuable and must be protected,” explained Dörk, recalling the crises and wars that are currently shaping our world. At a time when such values are at risk, it is more important than ever to stand together.
Honored personalities
This year the following people received honorary awards:
- Dr. Manfred Schneider aus Prenzlau, der seit 2004 mehreren hundert Kriminalitätsopfern zur Seite steht und aktiv im Verein „Weisser Ring“ ist. Barbara Richstein, ehemalige Justizministerin, lobte seine unermüdliche Arbeit mit Opfern von Straftaten.
- Kai-Uwe Kaps aus Schwedt, der für sein Engagement im kommunalpolitischen Bereich und seine Entwicklung des „Digitalen Materialcontainers“ gewürdigt wurde. Kaps, der ursprünglich aus Friesland nach Schwedt kam „der Liebe und der Arbeit wegen“, setzte damit Zeichen für die Digitalisierung in der Region.
- Johanna Gaffrey erhielt den Unternehmerpreis des Landkreises für ihre erfolgreiche Fortführung der Gaffrey Industrieservice GmbH während herausfordernder Zeiten. Gaffrey ist zudem Regionalpräsidentin der Unternehmervereinigung Uckermark und setzte sich für die Chancen junger Menschen in der Region ein.
In addition, other honorary prizes were awarded, including to Josef Menke from Uckerland for his initiatives in the community and to Marlies Helsing from Schwedt for her impressive project “Sternstunden”, a 24-hour daycare center. The editorial team of the Prenzlauer Heimatkalender was also honored.
Musical accompaniment and speech
The event was accompanied musically by the Prussian Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Jürgen Bruns and created the right atmosphere. The keynote speaker was Susanne Hoffmann, Minister of Justice of the State of Brandenburg, who underlined the importance of the day with warm words and called for further unity.
Readers may remember that German Unity Day is more than a historical date - it is a call for solidarity, remembrance and a shared, positive look into the future. This goes beyond the borders of the Uckermark and is also reflected in the celebrations on this symbolic date in other parts of Germany, such as the ceremony in the Saarbrücken Congress Hall, which honored the courage of the people in eastern Germany and called for common commitment to defend the values of freedom and democracy.[Nordkurier] reports that... read more.
It is in this spirit that the Uckermark celebrates today - not only the honors, but also the achievements in the spirit of unity. “There is something going on,” one might say when one considers the coming challenges and opportunities that await us in a united Germany.
Further details about this social event are also available Tantower to find, while also talking about the festive celebrations throughout Germany Federal Council reported.