Honorary Citizen's Letter

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Letter accompanying the document that made Schiller an honorary citizen of the French Republic in 1792

The honorary citizen's letter is an elaborately designed certificate that is presented to the honorary citizen on the occasion of the award and is symbolic . It is mentioned a lot from the 18th century.

The honorary citizen's letter documents the merits of the honorary citizen and the approval of the lender. The content is regulated by the respective statute on honoring deserving citizens by the state , city or municipality . The award guidelines often stipulate that this letter must be returned in the event of “unworthy behavior”.

Material and design

In the past as well as today, high-quality paper, for example hand-made paper , but also parchment , is used. Often the textual content is designed in calligraphy and provided with the municipal coat of arms . This document bears the signatures of the city or community council.

At the time of National Socialism , the "letter" was also cast in metal and added to the corresponding memorial .

Examples

Schiller's honorary citizenship letter

When, after the end of the Second World War, the French army commandeered buildings in Baden-Baden for their purposes in 1945, Schiller's great-grandson Alexander von Gleichen-Rußwurm received an "inheritance benefit" by submitting the honorary citizenship of the French Republic. The honorary citizenship once granted to Friedrich Schiller and signed by Danton was automatically transferred to his descendants.

“When the French army entered, Baron von Gleichen-Rußwurm was immediately placed under the protection of the occupying power. His residence at Lichtentaler Allee 12 was given the blue-white-red letter of protection to which all allied foreigners were entitled, which included all special rights. "

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ From a newspaper report about 1945 in Baden-Baden