According to Section 86 of the Lower Saxony Municipal Constitution Act (NKomVG), the Lord Mayor is responsible for representing the municipality.
Protocol and representation are the figurehead of a city. On the one hand, this involves official receptions by the Lord Mayor and, on the other, the representative's individual involvement in the lives of the citizens. He represents the city in all external matters and is represented in representative matters in Wolfsburg by three elected mayors.
The Representation and International Relations Department supports the positive external image of the City of Wolfsburg and provides the appropriate framework for ceremonies, commemorative and honorary events, anniversaries and the recognition of voluntary work, the organization of receptions and honorary events as well as the awarding of decorations.
For example, tribute events are organized for deserving citizens who have rendered outstanding services to Wolfsburg. The city's highest honor is the award of honorary citizenship.
These tasks also include all matters relating to protocol and looking after guests of the city of Wolfsburg. The numerous guests of honor include school and youth groups, domestic and foreign delegations as well as diplomats, politicians and other high-ranking personalities who are received by the Lord Mayor or one of his representatives.
Special guests of honor sign the Golden Book of the City of Wolfsburg. Since the inauguration of the town hall on March 22, 1958, the city of Wolfsburg has kept a Golden Book in which special personalities and guests of honor of the city sign their names. The entry is a great recognition - both for the signatories and for the city of Wolfsburg.
These are high-ranking personalities who have rendered outstanding services in a special way or through special achievements or whose visit is of very honorable, historical significance for the city. They are registered in a ceremonial setting and preferably in representative rooms of the city or on special occasions such as honors and anniversaries.
Frank Helmut Zaddach receives the Cross of Merit 1st Class
On 06.09.2019, Mr. Frank Helmut Zaddach was awarded the Cross of Merit 1st Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany by Lord Mayor Klaus Mohrs.
Frank Helmut Zaddach has always been active in an outstanding way during his 32 years of membership in the Council. He has already been awarded the honorary title of "City Elder" for his many years of service on the Council.
As a political veteran of our city, the list of his political and honorary activities is endlessly long. He was first elected to the Wolfsburg City Council in 1964.
He has been a long-time supporter of Wolfsburg's cultural policy and a role model in his commitment. During his term of office, he served on various boards and committees.
Particular mention should be made of Mr. Zaddach's commitment to the Culture Committee, of which he was deputy chairman for many years. He represented his cultural policy not only as a member of the Supervisory Board of the Theater der Stadt Wolfsburg, but also in the Nordstadt Cultural Association, which he himself founded.
In the office of Nordstadt mayor, which Mr. Zaddach held for 16 years (from 1991-2007), he was always approachable and always a caretaker for the concerns of the citizens. This closeness and presence to the citizenry was greatly appreciated by all.
Of great importance has been Mr. Zaddach's special involvement in the School Committee. As a former principal of Kreuzheide High School and an expert, he has been instrumental in ensuring that pluralism is possible for students in a democratic climate, while maintaining respect. The way he dealt with the student council as principal was impressive, always attentive and empathetic. Mr. Zaddach was appreciated by his students for standing up for their interests and concerns in the school as well as in the town council.
In 1967, Mr. Zaddach founded a Ranger's Club at Kreuzheide High School, which eventually, after a few years, became today's local group, the League of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. As a true scout, he stands for the combination of freedom, community and self-responsibility.
Honorary citizenship
The city's highest distinction is the award of honorary citizenship.
Honorary citizenship was last awarded to Prof. Rolf Schnellecke on November 30, 2014. During his 17-year term of office as Lord Mayor (1995 - 2001) and then Lord Mayor (2001 - 2011), he was the first mayor to be born in Wolfsburg and the first to be elected by the citizens, and his strategic and visionary thinking had a lasting impact on Wolfsburg's city history.
Honoring events
Honoring events are held for deserving citizens of our city as well as, for example, for athletes who have represented Wolfsburg in an outstanding manner.
In addition, the city honors special marriage and birthday anniversaries in Wolfsburg. The organization of these tributes is also part of the tasks of the Representation, International Relations Department.
Honor events
Honorary events are held for deserving citizens of our city as well as, for example, for athletes who have represented Wolfsburg in an outstanding way.
In addition, the city honors special marriage and birthday anniversaries in Wolfsburg. The organization of these honors is also one of the tasks of the Representation, International Relations department.
The city honors special marriage and birthday celebrants who are registered with their main residence in Wolfsburg. The 50th, 60th, 65th, 70th and 75th wedding anniversaries, the 80th, 90th, 95th, 100th and then every other birthday are eligible.
As a rule, the respective local mayor or deputy pays a visit to pay tribute.
Anniversaries are contacted quarterly and informed of this opportunity:
- Anniversaries from January to March inclusive in November of the previous year
- Anniversaries from April to June inclusive in February
- Anniversaries from July to September inclusive in May
- Anniversaries from October up to and including December in August
The letters are sent out by the Representation, International Relations Department. If anniversaries have not yet been written to, they can be registered at any time. For marriage anniversaries, the marriage certificate or family record book must be submitted.
Contact: sekretariat.repraesentation@stadt.wolfsburg.de, telephone: 05361 28-2202
The Wolfsburg Community Foundation is a joint institution set up by the city of Wolfsburg and brings together citizens, politicians, charitable organizations, the private sector and public administration. The foundation develops and promotes charitable projects for the benefit of the people living in Wolfsburg.
The Wolfsburg Community Foundation serves to preserve Wolfsburg's regional characteristics, to shape a cosmopolitan and sustainable city and to promote the solidarity of citizens across national, religious, gender and age boundaries.
Since the establishment of the Wolfsburg Community Foundation in December 2006, the foundation has been able to support social and charitable projects in the city with over 1,000,000 euros.
Every project is close to the community foundation's heart. It not only supports third-party projects, but also its own projects. These include the Planet Trail on Lake Allersee and the "Sport for Children" project.
The board of the community foundation consists of 6 members. Dr. Frank Fabian, Ms. Christin Schnaithmann, Ms. Heidemarie Steinke, Mr. Jens Kirsch, Dr. Udo Willi Kögler and Mr. Manfred Hüller. (from left)
Christin Schnaithmann is a member of the board of the community foundation as a representative of the administration.
The politically and financially independent foundation was developed by citizens for citizens and supports various charitable projects in the following areas for the benefit of the people of our city:
- Education and upbringing
- Local history and international understanding
- Youth and elderly care
- Culture, art and monument preservation
- Social welfare for charitable purposes and welfare work
- Sport and health
- Environment and nature conservation
- Landscape conservation
- Science and research
Further information on the tasks and objectives, current projects, contact persons and possible donations can be found on the website of the Wolfsburg Community Foundation