Osnabrück honours Manfred Blieffert with prestigious state award for cultural legacy
Manfred Blieffert, a well-known artist and educator in Osnabrück, has received the Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Order of Merit of Lower Saxony. The award recognises his decades of work in art, culture, and social activism. Mayor Katharina Pötter presented the honour at a ceremony in the Peace Hall last week. Blieffert has played a key role in shaping Osnabrück's cultural landscape. His mobile print workshop, a familiar sight at local events, brings art directly to residents. The city's cultural nights now rarely pass without his printing bicycle, which has become a staple of public engagement.
For over 35 years, he has contributed to remembrance culture, creating works that reflect on the Nazi era. His involvement began in the late 1980s and continues through his position on the extended board of the Felix Nussbaum Society. He even wrote a children's book about Felix Nussbaum, a Jewish painter who perished in the Holocaust. Beyond his artistic work, Blieffert champions three core causes: ecological sustainability, peacebuilding, and democratic values. These themes run through his projects, including his advocacy for the Skulptur Galerie Osnabrück, where he helped secure funding and visibility. From 2022 to 2024, he also led the Dreidimensional association as its first chairman. The award ceremony highlighted his long-standing commitment to both art and civic responsibility. Pötter acknowledged his efforts in making culture accessible while fostering dialogue on history and democracy.
The honour places Blieffert among Lower Saxony's recognised cultural figures. His work spans education, public art, and historical remembrance, leaving a lasting mark on Osnabrück. The city's art scene and community initiatives will continue to reflect his influence in the years ahead.
