Steffen Harzer celebrates his 65th birthday with an exhibition in Hildburghausen!

Steffen Harzer celebrates his 65th birthday with an exhibition in Hildburghausen!

On August 28, 2025, the former mayor of Hildburghausen, Steffen Harzer, celebrated his 65th birthday with a special exhibition in his own gallery, HibuArt, in Hildburghausen. This reports in southern Thuringia. The invited well-wishers included prominent personalities such as Environment Minister Tilo Kummer, Mayor Patrick Hammerschmidt and the writer Landolf Scherzer, who read from his book “Der Grenzgänger”, in which Harzer is mentioned.

His open and direct nature, which is not only admired but sometimes also perceived as controversial, is part of his spirit of which he is always proud. Harzer, who was mayor from 1996 to 2014 and then a member of the Left in the Thuringian state parliament until 2019, is currently pursuing his artistic career with complete passion. He devoted himself to painting with a vigor that one would never have expected of him after his stroke three years ago. During the time of upheaval, when he suffered from respiratory paralysis and questioned his perspectives, he saw painting as experiencing a kind of awakening.

From politician to artist

Steffen Harzer was born on August 28, 1960 in Eisfeld. He began his career as a toolmaker before studying mechanical engineering. After training, he became an administrative specialist and finally dedicated himself to public service. He began his political career in the so-called PDS, the predecessor party of the Left, and became known as the first PDS mayor of a German district town. From 2014 to 2019 he was a member of the Thuringian state parliament, where he focused primarily on issues such as energy policy and climate protection. But after many years in the political business, he was drawn to art. How Thuringian state parliament reports, after his political career he studied art at the University of Erfurt and opened his gallery in 2021.

Harzer's involvement in art is not just limited to his own gallery. He has organized numerous exhibitions in Erfurt, Suhl, Leutenberg and Staffelstein. Since August 2023 he has also been teaching art at the state regular school Dr. Carl Ludwig nun in Hildburghausen. This shows that Harzer not only lives his passion for painting, but also supports young talents.

CV and legacy

Steffen Harzer is not only active in art, but also brings with him numerous experiences from the municipal and social sectors. He served as mayor for a total of 18 years and left a deep impact on the region. He was also involved in football for years as president of FSV 06 Eintracht Hildburghausen. His work as a politician and artist is characterized by a deep social understanding and a tireless commitment to the community. A real “border crosser” – that’s what it says in Scherzer’s book, which captures the man’s multi-role.

Creatively, Harzer has achieved a lot in recent years. He describes his own career as a continuous journey full of surprises and challenges. The opening of his exhibition on the occasion of his birthday provides an insight into the various facets of his creativity and his life - a celebration that is very popular in the local art scene.

In summary, it can be said that Steffen Harzer, with his impressive life story and his artistic signature, is an enrichment for the region and his activities continue to be in the area of ​​tension between art and toplum political responsibility.