The Cross of the Order of Merit lies on a table. The Senate traditionally honors outstanding services to the state of Berlin on the anniversary of the entry into force of the Berlin Constitution of 1950.
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Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) honors numerous citizens for their commitment with the state's Order of Merit.
It is traditionally presented on Berlin's Constitution Day, October 1, in the ballroom of the Rotes Rathaus.
According to the Senate Chancellery, the 14 honorees include singer, composer and theater director Peter Plate, who became famous not least with the duo Rosenstolz and for musicals such as "Ku'damm 56". Also honoured are the co-founder of the Gay Museum Berlin, Detlef Mücke, the former pastor of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Martin Germer, and the co-founder of the group Women for Peace, Almut Ilsen, who campaigned against the militarization of the GDR.
Musician Dietmar Maria Hegemann, who is considered a pioneer of the Berlin techno and club scene, will also receive a State Order, as will former Berlin Senator for Finance Christiane Krajewski, who, as President of Special Olympics Germany, works to raise awareness of the rights of people with intellectual and multiple disabilities. Ulli Zelle, a long-time reporter for Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg, will also receive a state medal. Janine von Wolfersdorff, who was involved in the delivery of relief supplies following the Russian attack on Ukraine, and the President of the Berlin Chamber of Crafts, Carola Zarth, who has been campaigning for women in the trades for many years, will be honored.
"Traditionally, on Constitution Day in Berlin, we award the State Order of Merit to men and women who have rendered outstanding services to our city," said Wegner. "The lives and achievements of the 14 citizens honored this year show the many ways in which people are committed to Berlin and thus contribute to the cohesion of our society."