A Karl Marx monument in the centre of Chemnitz, which used to be the former communist East Germany until German reunification in 1990. — HENDRIK SCHMIDT/dpa
As the European Capital of Culture 2025, Chemnitz in the eastern German state of Saxony is set to host about 150 projects and 1,000 events next year.
A major exhibition of the Norwegian painter Edvard Munch, a tour of national and international art through the surrounding area and a contemporary opera premiere based on Werner Braunig’s novel Rummelplatz (Fairground) are planned.
At the same time, sports culture will be celebrated, with a cross-border bicycle tour planned in honour of the former International Peace Race.
In addition to Chemnitz, located some 65km south-east of Leipzig, Nova Gorica in Slovenia will also serve as a European Capital of Culture next year.
Each year, the EU selects one or more cities in the bloc “for a year-long celebration of art and culture”, designed to boost the local cultural scene and foster a “sense of belonging to a common cultural area” among European citizens.
The EU says the initiative has also been found to boost tourism and regeneration of cities selected in the past.
Tartu (Estonia), Bad Ischl (Austria) and Bodø (Norway) are European Capitals of Culture 2024.
The opening of the Capital of Culture year is to be celebrated in Chemnitz on Jan 18, 2025 with a big street party including artistic activities.
Several festivals await visitors, including on democracy, street art and contemporary art. A former lignite power station is to be transformed into a contemporary art gallery.
A former lignite power station in Chemnitz has been transformed into a contemporary art gallery thanks to French painter Daniel Buren. — JAN WOITAS/dpa
The programme is special because it is being created by the people of Chemnitz and the Capital of Culture region, explains programme director Stefan Schmidtke.
“It reflects their needs and wishes. We work with many initiatives and associations that have little experience in realising cultural projects. And that’s exactly the point,” Schmidtke says.
Culture plays an indispensable role in peaceful coexistence in Europe and contributes to understanding, German commissioner for culture and the media Claudia Roth says.
“The cultural programme shows in an impressive way where the cultural heart of Europe will beat in 2025: in Chemnitz!”
Chemnitz beat the fellow German cities of Nuremberg, Magdeburg, Hildesheim and Hannover in the final round of the competition for the 2025 title.
The programme is called “C The Unseen”. It not only alludes to the city’s role as an underdog among major German cities but also aims to reveal what is hidden in a variety of ways, while also addressing the “silent middle” of the urban population, who have increasingly withdrawn into their private lives in recent decades. – dpa
