Award for decades of service in the housing estate
As the City of Darmstadt announced, Mayor Hanno Benz presented Hans-Jürgen Luft with the Hessian State Medal of Honor on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. The award recognizes his many years of volunteer work in the Heimstättensiedlung housing estate.
Decades of service to the community
The award is given on the recommendation of the Association of Homestead Clubs and highlights the extraordinary work of Hans-Jürgen Luft, who has significantly shaped social life in the district for many years.
According to the city, Luft was particularly active as chairman of the Heimstättensiedlung citizens' and fair association. For approximately 30 years, he actively shaped community life and made significant contributions to the organization of the Heimstätten fair as well as other events such as the summer solstice celebration.
In his speech, Mayor Benz emphasized the importance of this commitment for social cohesion and described Luft as "an outstanding example of lived civic engagement".
Involvement in the club and neighborhood
Hans-Jürgen Luft, born in Darmstadt in 1960 and known to many as "Lufti", was previously active in the Eiche Carnival Club. There, he supported carnival events as a lighting and sound technician, among other things.
In 1994, he was one of the co-founders of the Heimstättensiedlung Citizens' and Fair Association. The aim was to re-establish the fair as the central festival in the district. From 1994 until April 2024, Luft led the association as its first chairman; since then, he has been honorary chairman.
Further involvement in the district
In addition to his work with the club, Luft was also involved in other events in Darmstadt, including the Brunnebittfest in Bessungen and various local festivals.
Since 2007 he has also been a member and spokesperson of the “Round Table” of the Heimstättensiedlung housing estate and actively contributes to the development of the neighborhood.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/dk)
Featured image: Science City_Darmstadt
