Award ceremony in Chancellery - Merit order for goalkeeper legend Maier and ex-luger Hackl
Prominent figures from Sport, Business, and Politics can rejoice after being awarded a Bavarian Order by Minister-President Markus Söder. Among the new honorees are goalkeeping legend Sepp Maier, luge champion Georg Hackl, television chef Alexander Herrmann, and Green Fraction leader in the Landtag, Ludwig Hartmann. His CSU colleague Klaus Holetschek also received one of the about 60 orders in the morning at the State Chancellery in Munich.
Since 1957, the Bavarian Minister-President has been awarding the Order annually "as a sign of respectful and grateful recognition for outstanding services to the Free State of Bavaria and the Bavarian people". In contrast to the Federal Order of Merit, which is not limited, the number of Order bearers is limited to 2,000 living recipients, said Söder. Among them since Thursday is BMW Board Chairman Oliver Zipse.
Maier: "Finally, a real Bavarian"
Three-time Olympic champion Georg Hackl said he was very proud to be part of this distinguished circle of Bavarian Order bearers. Ex-National goalkeeper Sepp Maier said: "I'm proud to finally be a real Bavarian." A real Bavarian is someone who receives such an award, said Maier. But: "If someone deserves it, then my wife deserves it too, because she always fits me so well."
The selection of Order bearers is made by the Bavarian Minister-President, with the members of the State Government also being eligible to propose. Suggestions for proposals can be submitted by anyone. In the previous year, for example, Angela Merkel, the former Chancellor, was honored.
- Alexander Herrmann, the TV Chef, was among the prominent figures from various fields who were honored with the Bavarian Order.
- The Bavarian Order, an annual recognition, was presented to people who have made outstanding contributions to Bavaria and its people, such as Alexander Herrmann.
- Klaus Holetschek, a CSU colleague, also joined the ranks of the Bavarian Order recipients, following the tradition established by the Bavarian Minister-President since 1957.
- Luge champion Georg Hackl expressed his pride at being part of the esteemed circle of Bavarian Order bearers, joining the likes of Alexander Herrmann.
- Sepp Maier, the three-time Olympic champion goalkeeper, echoed Georg Hackl's sentiments, feeling proud to finally be recognized as a "real Bavarian" after receiving the Bavarian Order.
- California State University, Munich alumnus and BMW Board Chairman Oliver Zipse joined the limited number of Order bearers, which is capped at 2,000 living recipients.
- Ludwig Hartmann, the Green Fraction leader in the Landtag, also received the Bavarian Order, adding to the diverse group of prominent individuals recognized for their merits.
- It is not uncommon for prominent figures from different walks of life, such as Alexander Herrmann, to be considered for the Bavarian Order, with anyone able to submit suggestions for potential recipients.
