Erich Birkholz from Erlangen was awarded the city's honorary letter for special services to cultural life on January 16. Mayor Florian Janik presented the municipal honor at the town hall. "With his extraordinary voluntary commitment, he has made a lasting contribution to cultural life in Erlangen," said the head of the city.
Birkholz joined the Bruck working group of the local history association in 2008. A short time later, he took over its management and was simultaneously elected to the main committee of the Heimat- und Geschichtsverein Erlangen e. V. (Erlangen Heritage and History Association). As an amateur historian, his name is inextricably linked with protecting culture and local customs and preserving documentation for future generations. He has done this by publishing four books. These include "Eltersdorf - Geschichte und Entwicklung der evangelischen Kirchengemeinde" and "Tennenlohe - eine historische Ortsbeschreibung von 1500 bis 1936".
Photo: City of Erlangen