KULTURBAR

A life for music and radio. Matthias "Matze" Holtmann, known as a legendary presenter and musician, celebrated his birthday on May 23, 1950 in Recklinghausen and has shaped the German cultural scene ever since. Holtmann, who began his career as a drummer in the rock band Triumvirat, quickly found his way into the world of radio and became music editor at Süddeutscher Rundfunk (SDR) in Stuttgart in 1979.

His influence on pop culture in Baden-Württemberg is undeniable: from 1990 to 2004, he hosted the popular programs "Extraspät", "Na und!?" and "SWR3 - Ring frei" on Südwestfernsehen. Holtmann was also the stadium announcer for VfB Stuttgart in the 1999/2000 Bundesliga season and shaped the stadium experience with his unmistakable voice.

Despite his Parkinson's disease, which he made public in 2006, Holtmann continued his career and showed remarkable resilience. He became known for his show "Pop & Poesie", which he conceived himself and in which he worked with actors and musicians to convey the meaning of hit songs through German translations and live performances.

Matthias Holtmann now lives in Gebersheim and remains active in the cultural scene. His autobiography "Porsche, Pop und Parkinson" provides an insight into his eventful life and his passion for fast cars and music.

Over the years, he has received numerous honors, including the Baden-Württemberg State Medal of Merit, awarded by Minister President Winfried Kretschmann, for his life's work in establishing pop culture in the region.

Info at: www.kulturbar-stuttgart.de