Arno von Watteck Ring of Honour
The Arno von Watteck Ring of Honour is an award presented for outstanding achievements in the preservation of cultural assets within the ecclesiastical province of Salzburg and is endowed with €3,000. The focus is on individuals and institutions who are committed to the preservation of cultural assets out of idealism. The Museum of Mining and Gothic Art Leogang sponsors this award every two years as a lasting tribute to the achievements of Prof. Hofrat Dipl.-Ing. Arno von Watteck.
Arno von Watteck, born in 1926, is an important museum founder, philosopher, pioneer of local history research and cultural preservationist in the province of Salzburg, and is considered the saviour of the Lungau Troadkästen (granary).
As silver mining played an important role in Leogang's mining history, silver was deliberately chosen as the material for the ‘Arno Watteck Ring of Honour’. The ring is adorned with the ancient ornament of a running dog, which can also be found on the facades of the Troadkästen (granary) in Lungau.
Award winner
2023, Martina Mätzler, Riefensberg
The first ring of honour was awarded to Martina Mätzler from the Bregenzerwald, who, through her initiative, has preserved the ancient knowledge of how to make the Bregenzerwald's famous shiny linen skirts. Martina Mätzler learned the finishing process for producing Bregenzerwald skirt fabric from the last skirt dyer, Manfred Fitz, and his wife Luise, and passed on the closely guarded secret of its production, so that the traditional skirt fabric can still be produced today using old craftsmanship.
2024, Prof. Hermann Mayrhofer, Leogang
Arno von Watteck, after whom the award is named, was keen for Prof. Hermann Mayrhofer to be honoured with the only gold ring. Arno von Watteck: "Through the power of joy and enthusiasm for beauty and goodness, Prof. Hermann Mayrhofer built up the Museum of Mining and Gothic Art Leogang and led it to its heyday. With his interest in higher values such as the preservation and repatriation of Salzburg's cultural assets, Prof. Hermann Mayrhofer has brought light into our cultural landscape."
Impressions of the award ceremony for Martina Mätzler on Saint Anne's Day in the year of our Lord 2023.
Impressions of the award ceremony for Prof. Hermann Mayrhofer on St. Peter and St. Paul's Day in the year of our Lord 2024
