Recognised for their outstanding commitment to family life, community service, cultural engagement, and intergenerational solidarity, the Seitz family embodies the values that large families bring to Europe. The award will be presented to the family at the general assembly of ELFAC in Erfurt (Germany) on 10 September 2026.
The European Large Families Confederation (ELFAC) is proud to announce that the Seitz family from Germany has been selected as the European Large Family of the Year 2025, in recognition of their extraordinary commitment to family life, community engagement, cultural participation, and intergenerational solidarity.
Dr. med. Christiane and Volker Seitz have built a remarkable family centred on faith, service, music, and active citizenship. Their family includes ten children and, more recently, their foster daughter, Flora. Over the years, the Seitz family has demonstrated how large families contribute significantly to the social fabric of their communities while embodying the values of solidarity, responsibility, and mutual support. They are located in Homburg (Saarland, Germany).
Their children, now spanning several generations, have pursued diverse educational and professional paths, including church music, computer science, architecture, mechanical engineering, education, social work, and religious studies. Several of their children are now married and raising families of their own, continuing the legacy of strong family bonds and community involvement.
A cornerstone of the Seitz family’s life has been their active participation in their local evangelical church community and the Evangelische Stadtmission Homburg. Together, they have contributed to children’s holiday programmes, musical initiatives, family activities, and numerous community events. Their commitment reflects the important role families play in building social cohesion and supporting local communities.
Music has been a defining feature of family life. Family members have participated in Irish music groups, town orchestras, school ensembles, big bands, and numerous concert tours. The children have repeatedly achieved success in Germany’s prestigious Jugend musiziert (“Youth Makes Music”) competition. Collectively, the family has mastered a remarkable variety of instruments, including strings, brass, and percussion, piano, organ, accordion, guitar, and ukulele.
The Seitz family has also embraced international openness and cultural exchange. Their children have participated in student exchange programmes with France, Georgia, Poland, the United States, England, and Ireland, fostering intercultural understanding and European cooperation.
Beyond music and education, the family has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to youth development and volunteer service. Family members have been active in Christian children’s and youth programmes, including the “Zeltstadt Siloah” camp, the children’s group “Volltreffer,” and the founding of the scout group “Homburger Bussarde.”
Sport has likewise played an important role in family life. The family has participated successfully in numerous running competitions, relay marathons, cycling tours, and community sporting events, even winning the family category of the Calypso swimming centre’s Turbo Olympics on multiple occasions.
Dr. Christiane Seitz has complemented the family’s extensive community involvement through public service, serving both as a board member of the district conference and as a member of the local council since its establishment.
What makes the Seitz family particularly inspiring is not only the breadth of their achievements but the values that unite them. Their family life is rooted in faith, music, commitment, community, and the joy of sharing life. Through their example, they demonstrate the essential contribution that large families make to society: nurturing future generations, strengthening communities, promoting solidarity, and building social resilience.
By awarding the title of European Large Family of the Year 2025, ELFAC wishes to recognise the Seitz family as outstanding ambassadors of family values in Europe and as a powerful example of the positive impact large families have on local communities and society as a whole.
Congratulations to the Seitz family on this well-deserved recognition.
Two families were finalists, one from Hungary and the other from Croatia
Vincze family from Tàborhegy (Budapest)
The Vincze family has always lived as a multigenerational large family: grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren sharing their lives side by side in one household. While this way of living was often a necessity decades ago, in their case, it became a conscious choice. In their home on Táborhegy (a district of Budapest), built through their own efforts and an immense amount of hands-on work, four families still live together today. One grandmother lived with the family throughout her life, while the other pair of grandparents moved into the large house in their old age and spent their final years there. The care and respect shown toward the elderly deeply shaped the children’s attitudes toward life and death, as well as toward human relationships.
Among the ten children, there are five sons and five daughters. Here, the law of large numbers brought balance, although the family also knows another ten-child family with nine daughters and one son. Even before the establishment of the National Association of Large Families, the parents, together with friends, founded the Family Foundation.
The Valec Family from Croatia
The Valec family from the Hrvatsko Zagorje region is one of the most recognisable large families in their community, known for their warmth, unity, and strong sense of togetherness. Parents Nevenka and Danko Valec are proud parents of nine children and one grandchild, and their family story stands as an inspiring example of dedication, perseverance, and genuine family values.
The family consists of parents Nevenka and Danko and their nine children. Their eldest son, Luka (29), is a stonemason and owner of the craft workshop Od kamena do znamena, renowned for its unique handmade stone art. Their daughter Lucija (27) is a wife, mother, and dedicated schoolteacher who has a strong passion for working with children.
Emanuel (23) is a student at the Faculty of Organisation and Informatics in Varaždin and leads an active, healthy lifestyle. Marija (22), also a student, is exceptionally creative, engaged in cultural activities, and particularly enjoys singing. Jakov (19) attends vocational high school, works a student job, and contributes to both family and community responsibilities. Judita (17) is a cheerful and sociable student of hairdressing, with a particular love for music. Jošua (13) is a seventh-grade pupil and an enthusiastic football player, while Josipa (11) is a highly creative sixth-grader with a strong talent for art and handmade crafts. The youngest, Petra (10), is a third-grade pupil who is joyful, imaginative, and passionate about creative expression.