Under Franconian Cube were honoured on 11 November 2026: the nun Teresa Zukic, former Kulmbach district administrator Klaus Peter Söllner and Karl Count of Castell-Rüdenhausen. The governments of Upper, Middle and Lower Franconia jointly presented the award at the Coach House of Thurnau Castle in the district of Kulmbach.
Each of the three administrative districts was represented by one of the recipients. Söllner, from Stadtsteinach received the cube for Upper Franconia, Zukic, from Weisendorf, for Middle Franconia, and Castell-Rüdenhausen from Rüdenhausen for Lower Franconia. The award was presented by Upper Franconia’s regional president, Florian Luderschmid, and his colleagues Kerstin Engelhardt-Blum from Middle Franconia and Susanne Weizendörfer from Lower Franconia.
The Franconian Cube is a porcelain cube bearing the coats of arms of the three administrative districts. According to the Middle Franconia regional government, it was awarded for the 41st time in 2026. It recognises people who, in the view of the organisers, particularly embody qualities they describe as typically Franconian: adaptability, wit and a capacity for contradiction. The award carries no cash prize.
Söllner was honoured for his long career in local politics. Before becoming district administrator in the district of Kulmbach, he was mayor of Stadtsteinach. According to Bavarian public broadcaster BR, he headed the district administration for 30 years. Among the projects he worked on during that time was the restoration of Thurnau Castle, the venue for this year’s award ceremony.
Sister Teresa Zukic was born in Croatia and grew up in Germany. The nun has appeared on television, among other things, and spoke publicly about her cancer diagnosis and treatment. Karl Count of Castell-Rüdenhausen worked as a photojournalist, including for the German Press Agency. In his home town of Rüdenhausen, he runs a wine cellar and founded a music group.
The award ceremony took place as part of a goose dinner. 11 November is the feast day of Saint Martin and traditionally the date on which the Franconian Cube is awarded. The event is jointly organised by the three district governments and, in 2026, was held in Upper Franconia in accordance with the rotation.
The selection brings together people with very different life paths: local government, religious work, and journalism and culture. What the recipients have in common is their connection to one of the Franconian administrative districts. The award therefore recognises not a single professional achievement measured against a common standard, but people and their ties to the region. Previous recipients include former Bavarian Minister-President Günther Beckstein and poet Nora Gomringer.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).