Head of the cultural department Peter Nürmberger retires

Four decades in the service of Hof culture

Auf dem Bild stehen ein Mann mit Blumenstrauß und eine Frau in einem Saal. Ein Mann hinter ihnen klatscht. — Foto (Stadt Hof): (von rechts) Oberbürgermeisterin Eva Döhla, Peter Nürmberger, Bürgermeister Sebastian Auer

Auf dem Bild ist ein Mann an einem Pult zu sehen, dem ein Publikum im Stehen applaudiert. — Foto (Stadt Hof): Der Stadtrat verabschiedet Kulturamtsleiter Peter Nürmberger mit stehendem Applaus.

During the city council meeting last Monday, 21 July 2025, Peter Nürmberger, long-serving head of the City of Hof's cultural department, was officially retired. In a detailed and very personal speech, Mayor Eva Döhla honoured Nürmberger's extraordinary work for Hof's cultural landscape - work that spanned more than 40 years. Peter Nürmberger has been working for the city of Hof since 1993, previously for eight years at the Hof Theatre, and has thus played a decisive role in shaping the cultural face of the city for four decades. He has been head of the cultural department since 2010 and was previously the city's press spokesman.

Mayor Eva Döhla: "He has left his mark with his work - in our memories, in our minds, but also visibly in the cityscape." Eva Döhla outlined the key stages and milestones of his career in the form of a symbolic walk through the city: From the redesign of the meeting room, to the stelae for Jewish fellow citizens, the strengthening of the museum and the art collection, to the intangible cultural heritage Schlappentag and the film festival memorial.

Current projects such as "Bühne raus!", the Your Stage Festival, the continuous work on the city library, the successful cooperation at the VHS or the persistent commitment to the Freiheitshalle are also evidence of Nürmberger's comprehensive understanding of culture - always combined with the attitude, a clear compass and the firm conviction that culture must be there for everyone. "Peter Nürmberger is a generalist with taste, intellect and the courage to speak clearly," emphasised the Lord Mayor.

His commitment to Hof Theatre was also recognised with great respect - as a mediator between politics and art, but also as a co-designer and guarantor of continuity in difficult times such as the pandemic or during the general renovation. His professional work had always been characterised by the courage to tackle things, by conviction and practical implementation strength. The Lord Mayor emphasised that Nürmberger never shied away from responsibility - even when funding was not yet secured, such as for the restoration of the glass window at the vocational school. The decisive factor for him was always: Does a project make sense for the urban community?

Peter Nürmberger: "Art and culture in Germany are not doing well at the moment. Millions are being cut in Berlin and Munich. Here in Hof, it was only half a million that was cut. Culture in Hof is doing well. We have the Hof Theatre with a wonderful theatre ensemble. We have four theatre sections. We have managed to completely renovate this theatre on schedule and at a cost that is impressive compared to other theatres. Culture is doing well in Hof. In addition to the Freiheitshalle, we have real institutions such as the Hof Symphony Orchestra, the city library, the museum and our observatory." However, Peter Nürmberger also addressed the issue of different salaries at the theatre. He called for all theatre employees to be paid equally in future in accordance with the pay scale. Peter Nürmberger: "We can be really proud of our cultural institutions. Culture is doing well in Hof. But we should be ashamed of this state of affairs at the theatre."

At the end of the farewell ceremony, Eva Döhla presented the outgoing head of the cultural department with flowers, a personal gift and an honorary membership of Hof Theatre as special recognition. "For all that you have done - on behalf of the city of Hof: thank you, dear Peter."