During a ceremonial theatre performance as part of the Kalimandscharo Festival in Zielitz on Thursday, 25 June 2026, District Administrator Martin Stichnoth, on behalf of the Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt, Sven Schulze, presented the Badge of Honour of the State of Saxony-Anhalt to Sigrid-Ilse and Bernd Vorpahl.
With this award, the State of Saxony-Anhalt recognises the Vorpahl couple’s decades of exceptional commitment to the arts, culture and social cohesion. Their tireless efforts have raised the profile of the Holzhaustheater Zielitz and the Kalimandscharo Festival far beyond the borders of the Börde district and have had a lasting impact on Saxony-Anhalt’s cultural landscape.
“With their vision, courage and passion, Sigrid-Ilse and Bernd Vorpahl have created something unique. They have shown how an idea can develop into a cultural flagship that connects and inspires people across generations. This extraordinary life’s work deserves the highest recognition and the greatest respect,” emphasised District Administrator Martin Stichnoth in his laudatory speech.
The Holzhaustheater’s success story began more than 25 years ago with a spontaneous idea on the terrace of the Vorpahl family’s newly built timber house. Through creativity, perseverance and voluntary commitment, this vision developed into a cultural attraction that today draws thousands of visitors to Zielitz every year.
In addition to the widely renowned Kalimandscharo Festival, Sigrid-Ilse and Bernd Vorpahl have been particularly committed to nurturing young talent for many years. By founding a drama school, they created a place where young talents can discover and develop their passion for the theatre. At the same time, a meeting place was established that brings people of all generations together and enriches cultural life in rural areas in the long term.
The Badge of Honour of the State of Saxony-Anhalt is awarded to individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the common good. Through their decades of work, Sigrid-Ilse and Bernd Vorpahl have impressively demonstrated how civic engagement can enrich social life and shape an entire region.
District Administrator Martin Stichnoth warmly congratulated the Vorpahls on this high honour and thanked them on behalf of the State of Saxony-Anhalt, the Börde district and their many companions for their extraordinary dedication:
“You have not merely put on plays; you have built a sense of community. Through your tireless commitment, you have brought culture to life, brought people together and made Zielitz known far beyond the region’s borders. For this, you deserve our sincere thanks and our highest recognition.”
The awarding of the Badge of Honour of the State of Saxony-Anhalt is a well-deserved tribute to the impressive life’s work of Sigrid-Ilse and Bernd Vorpahl – a token of gratitude for decades of commitment that has enriched the district of Börde and the State of Saxony-Anhalt in a lasting way.
**Photo: Börde district, from left to right (Jonas Samsel, Mayor of Zielitz, Sigrid-Ilse Vorpahl, Bernd Vorpahl and District Administrator Martin Stichnoth)