Chemnitz will be the European Capital of Culture in 2025. Under the motto “C the Unseen – European Makers of Democracy”, the city has presented a convincing concept. You can read about what we can already look forward to here.
Together with the Slovenian city of Nova Gorica, Chemnitz will be European Capital of Culture 2025. According to the Conference of Culture Ministers, the East German city presented a convincing concept under the motto “C the Unseen – European Makers of Democracy”.
In January 2011, a jury of European experts unanimously selected the city of Chemnitz as the Capital of Culture 2025. Under the motto “C the Unseen – European Makers of Democracy”, the city in Saxony convinced the committee. Chemnitz will therefore share the award with the Slovenian city of Nova Gorica. In the past, West Berlin (1988), Weimar (1999) and the Ruhr region with Essen (2010) have already had the chance to present themselves as European Capital of Culture for Germany. Chemnitz is now set to become “Germany’s cultural flagship” in 2025, as the Chairman of the Conference of Culture Ministers and Berlin Senator for Culture and Europe, Dr. Klaus Lederer, explained. Chemnitz beat Dresden, Gera, Hanover, Hildesheim, Magdeburg, Nuremberg and Zittau in the application process. The city will receive funding of 1.5 million euros to set up a program. And thus to highlight the diversity of European cultures and at the same time the feeling of a common European affiliation.
The nomination means a lot to the city. It honors the commitment of cultural workers and citizens who are committed to artistic diversity and want to make Chemnitz a cosmopolitan location. At a press conference in fall 2020, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel also praised the commitment of local residents. The award as Capital of Culture 2025 is a great opportunity to show what energy and potential the city has. During the selection process, the application team had focused on overcoming divides through art. And thus showed that art always has a political dimension. The statement for an open society is particularly important in Chemnitz. In 2018, the city made sad headlines due to the riots by right-wing and far-right groups. The nomination is a sign of the unifying potential that art holds. And honors the high level of civil commitment on site. Minister of State for Culture Monika Grütters summarized: “Cultural diversity is stronger than populist simplicity.”
The application initially included a 100-page bid book – a collection of ideas that must now be translated into a feasible program. The 72 projects listed in the bid book have been selected. And after being awarded the contract by the expert panel, some of them are already being implemented. Last fall, for example, work began on the large-scale project “We Parapom”. This involves planting 4,000 apple trees across the city. The project stands as a symbol for overcoming borders. At the same time, it encourages people to reflect on the environment and how we deal with food. Another project in planning is the “Purple Path”. This is an art and culture trail that will interweave Chemnitz with the surrounding area. The implementation of the visions presented in the application process is progressing rapidly. However, further proposals can still be submitted until the final program is presented in summer 2023.
Social responsibility as Capital of Culture 2025
The next step in the process is to give the program depth. The jury repeatedly emphasized the importance of dealing with the actual conditions on site. And therefore also with the social developments in the region. For some time now, resentment about the coronavirus measures has been driving people onto the streets. But even before the pandemic began, Chemnitz was already facing an increase in right-wing ideas. Program director Stefan Schmidtke is certain that “culture and the debate about culture can make a difference”. This view is also supported by the EU committee. They want to place a special focus on the so-called silent center. And thus reach people who have not previously participated in political debates, which would indirectly strengthen the right-wing fringe. According to surveys conducted by Chemnitz University of Technology, there is disagreement as to whether this can be achieved. Schmidtke hopes that the cultural program will create an atmosphere in which people feel comfortable. In order to then open up to other ideas in exchange.
The slogan that Chemnitz has chosen for its application is trend-setting on many levels. “C the Unseen” – “Take a closer look”. The former industrial city has much more to offer than the general public is aware of. Under the gaze of the famous Marx monument, which bears witness to the socialist era of the past, the city is reinventing itself. The concept of cultural capitals is promoting the social and economic development of the region. The greening of formerly gray concrete surfaces, for example, aims to visibly promote an ecological movement. Art projects and exhibitions in public spaces and private neighborhoods turn the entire city into a cultural gallery. Through the award, Chemnitz wants to show on a small scale what Europe is all about on a large scale. A diverse society in which citizens actively shape the way we live together. Until the official start of the program in 2025, the course is already being set with great commitment.
Stefan Schmidtke in an interview.
In 2019, the city of Chemnitz redesigned the forecourt of Chemnitz University of Technology. The university is located in the city center and is therefore a special asset for the Capital of Culture 2025.
