Goslar awards the first Golden Tone to Sven Regener – a sign of change!

Goslar awards the first Golden Tone to Sven Regener – a sign of change!

In a festive ceremony on November 1, 2025, Goslar awarded the newly named “Golden Tone” music prize. This is the first time this award has been presented, having been renamed to reflect the troubled history of its original namesake, Paul Lincke. Lincke got into controversial entanglements during the Nazi era, which ultimately led to this decision, which the city administration made in April 2025 after critical feedback, as NDR reports.

The well-known musician and writer Sven Regener, who gained fame primarily through the band “Element of Crime” and his works such as the book and film “Herr Lehmann”, received the award. He was recognized by the jury as a “poetic expert for ironic-laconic tenderness”. Mayor Urte Schwerdtner (SPD) said of the award ceremony: “He manages to draw a landscape of the soul using simple terms.” Regener, who received the award retroactively for 2024, emphasized the need for a thorough examination of Lincke's Nazi past.

The new price and its meaning

The golden tone is represented by an attractive design that shows a clef and a cloverleaf - the logo of the Hahnenklee district. Prize winners like Regener also participate in a sound installation in the Hahnenklee spa gardens with a dedication. While the prize has often been associated with greats such as Peter Maffay and Udo Lindenberg in the past, the awarding of the Golden Tone in the future remains uncertain. The city has suspended the award for the time being until a report sheds light on Lincke's relationships with the Nazi regime.

For Goslar, the renaming of the prize is not only a confrontation with the past, but also a clear step towards a culture that clearly distances itself from the shadows of history. According to Regener, coming to terms with the involvement in the Nazi era should be a priority. Historians have proven that Lincke benefited from Nazi rule and had political involvement, which made the decision to rename the prize all the more important.

Insight into the cultural landscape

Just as music plays an important role in cultural life, dealing with history also has its place in society. While in the past light music was used by the Nazi regime to distract and exert influence, it is now even more important to reflect honestly on cultural history in order to learn from mistakes. Authors and musicians of the time, such as Gustav Mahler and Paul Hindemith, who were persecuted because of their origins and beliefs, must be seen not only as part of this history, but also as a reminder of the tolerance we need today. This shows how important it is to look at music and art in a social and political context, as DHM shows.

At a time when awareness of nature conservation and sustainable development is increasing globally, one could also take a look at cultural achievements abroad, such as in the area of ​​ecotourism in Brazil. The country's impressive nature and biodiversity also provide an opportunity to think about how culture and nature can harmonize with each other. Ecotourism not only promotes the preservation of the environment, but also brings education and sustainability to the fore, which could represent an important perspective for regions like Goslar, where cultural and natural treasures go hand in hand, in the spirit of a holistic way of life, as mapeandoconhecimentos highlights.