21 May 2024
Some honours are awarded not for a single achievement, but for an entire life's work — for years of dedication, resilience, and quiet generosity toward others. This is precisely the kind of recognition that has now been bestowed upon Lars Höllerer, who is the proud recipient of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, one of the country's most distinguished civilian honours.
A Ceremony on the Shores of Lake Constance
The medal was presented to Lars Höllerer in a ceremony held in April, fittingly held at his own place of birth and residence on Lake Constance. Überlingen's mayor Jan Zeitler conducted the presentation, marking a deeply personal moment that brought this significant national honour directly to the community and landscape that has shaped Lars's life.
In a touching detail, the accompanying certificate — signed by the Federal President, at the suggestion of Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann — was accepted on his behalf by his father, Rudolf Höllerer. This small but meaningful gesture underscored the family bond at the heart of Lars's story, and the quiet, steady support that has surely accompanied him throughout his journey.
Honoured for a Lifetime of Artistry and Advocacy
Lars Höllerer was honoured for his comprehensive artistic work, brought to life on canvas through mouth and brush, as well as for his tireless commitment to inclusion — a dual legacy that speaks to the full breadth of his contribution, both as an artist and as an advocate.
Central to this recognition was the way Lars has approached his own history: with openness, honesty, and an active desire to connect with the people around him. Rather than retreating from public life, he has repeatedly shown his skills through numerous exhibitions and painting demonstrations over the years, appearing in an impressively wide range of settings — galleries, hospitals, kindergartens, retirement homes, and schools. Through this sustained public presence, Lars has done something quietly profound: he has helped counteract fears of contact, breaking down the discomfort or uncertainty that can sometimes arise when people encounter disability for the first time, replacing it instead with genuine connection, curiosity, and admiration for his artistry.
This pattern of engagement — deliberately bringing his art and his story into spaces filled with children, patients, elderly residents, and students alike — reflects a conscious and generous choice to use his own visibility as a tool for broader social good, extending far beyond the boundaries of the art world itself.
A Moment of Genuine Emotion
Upon receiving the Order of Merit, Lars Höllerer was visibly moved, offering a response as humble as it was heartfelt: "I would never have expected this prize." This simple statement carries real weight when considered against the broader arc of his personal history. As he has shared, it took him a long time to be able to live with the consequences of his paraplegia, and he expressed genuine happiness at having overcome that difficult phase of his life — a hard-won peace that makes this national recognition all the more meaningful.
Humour, Honesty, and "Roll On"
During his 20-minute acceptance speech, Lars offered attendees something beyond gratitude and reflection — he offered his characteristic wit and candour, reading two chapters from his book, "Roll. On – That's It for Womanizer." In it, he humorously pokes fun at his own fate, tracing its roots back to a motorcycle accident at the age of 22 that changed the course of his life entirely.
This choice to bring humour directly into such a formal and significant occasion speaks volumes about who Lars Höllerer is as a person and as a public figure. Rather than allowing his story to be defined solely by hardship, he has consistently chosen to approach his own history with openness and even lightheartedness — an attitude that has clearly played a central role in his ability to connect so effectively with the many audiences he has met throughout galleries, hospitals, schools, and beyond.
A Well-Deserved Honour
The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany stands among the nation's highest tributes, reserved for individuals whose contributions to society are judged to be truly exceptional. In honouring Lars Höllerer, the German government and the people of Überlingen have recognised not only his considerable artistic talent, but the quiet, persistent courage with which he has shared that talent — and his story — with communities across every stage of life.
From the paraplegia that reshaped his path at 22, to years of dedicated artistic work created with mouth and brush, to countless exhibitions and demonstrations aimed at breaking down barriers of fear and unfamiliarity, Lars Höllerer's journey embodies precisely the kind of resilience and generosity this honour was created to celebrate.
Congratulations, Lars — this recognition is richly and rightfully earned!
Source: VDMFK News