Award: Die Toten Hosen honored with the NRW State Prize

Die Toten Hosen were honored with the State Prize of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. “The Toten Hosen have always been loud and they are loud. They are loud voices for democracy and against xenophobia, against anti-Semitism and against right-wing extremist violence,” said Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) at the presentation of the country’s highest award in Düsseldorf.

It’s not just their music that has moved and inspired millions of people across generations and all social differences for more than 40 years. The band is committed with their music, with words and also with actions. “They are already part of the cultural heritage today and represent many values ​​that are also important for North Rhine-Westphalia,” said Wüst.

Campino: “We don’t know how we got this honor”

For many years, the band around Andreas Frege (Campino), Andreas von Holst (Kuddel), Michael Breitkopf (Breiti), Andreas Meurer (Andi) and Stephen George Ritchie (Vom) has, in addition to music, committed itself to helping people in poverty and difficult situations social situations at heart. She is involved in development and refugee aid as well as helping the homeless.

“We are happy about this award. We don’t know how we got this honor, but we see it as a handout from the middle class,” said Hosen frontman Campino. “We see ourselves here as a projection surface, representative of many who are involved in society here and who may not be seen that way, but would definitely deserve this award.”

The band therefore wants to pass on the prize money of 25,000 euros to people “who are fighting for every penny”, including to a women’s shelter and a children’s center in Düsseldorf. “It’s wild. We’re really touched that we were thought of, it’s like football. Even a dirty win brings three points. We don’t ask how it came about,” said Campino.

Laudation by friend Wim Wenders

At the request of the Toten Hosen, the laudatory speech was given by director Wim Wenders, who has been friends with the punk rock band for many years. “From the beginning until today, they were committed fighters who got involved and never minced words when they thought the world was not right,” said Wenders in his eulogy. “The pants have been bridging discrepancies since 1982. They have never been shy about getting involved and have made outstanding contributions to our democracy.”

The state prize was established in 1986. Since then, it has been awarded to individuals who have achieved outstanding achievements and are connected to NRW through their careers and work. Previous winners include multiple Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher, former Federal Environment Minister Klaus Töpfer, Circus Roncalli founder Bernhard Paul and women’s rights activist Alice Schwarzer. Last year, former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) received the state prize.