Romanian-born entrepreneur and philanthropist Michael Schmidt has been recognized by the state of Bavaria for his “involvement, dedication and significant contributions” in strengthening Romanian-Bavarian relations
Mr. Schmidt, the President of the M&V Schmidt Foundation, was honored with the Medal of Outstanding Merit for the Bavarian Land in Europe and the world on Tuesday in the Bavarian capital, Munich, southeast Germany, for bolstering Romanian-Bavarian relations and cooperation.
Many of the more than one million ethnic Germans who emigrated from Romania during the communist era and the early 90s settled in Bavaria, including Mr. Schmidt who was born in the Transylvanian hamlet of Crit and has been organizing the well-known Haferland Festival for the last 13 years.
The organizers said the medal was not “only a personal appreciation, but also a symbol of values of shared friendship, collaboration and the desire to build a better future together. “
H.E. Mr. Eric Beißwenger, Minister of State for European and International Affairs of the Bavarian Government gave Mr, Schmidt the award at a special ceremony.
The ceremony was attended by notable German and Romanian dignitaries including H.E. Mr. Dr. Florian Hermann, Minister of State of the Bavarian Land or state, Mrs. Dr. Charlotte Knobloch, former President of the General Council of the Jews of Germany and President of the Jewish Cultural Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria since 1985, Holocaust survivor, His Eminence Seraphim (Joantă), Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of Germany, Austria and Luxembourg and Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan of Germany, Central and Northern Europe, Mrs. Miheia-Mălina Diculescu-Blebea, Consul General of Romania in Munich.
Former Romanian Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu who served as Romania’s ambassador to Germany and Austria also attended the ceremony as did various members of the Bavarian Government, political and cultural personalities, and consuls accredited in Munich.
Bavaria it is the largest state in Germany and has almost 13.1 million inhabitants, making it bigger than many European countries. It is the second wealthiest state in Germany.
Michael Schmidt created a car empire through his MHS Holding group, and has businesses in Romania, Germany, Austria and Spain with a turnover of around €650 million in 2023. His Schmidt Premium Cars sells BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce across Central and Eastern Europe.
