Josephine Hage, curator of the Chemnitz 2025 project Makers, Business & Arts, emphasises: "This award is for everyone who takes part in the Maker Advent. It shows that we are a true maker region and that we are creating creative innovation from our tradition of craftsmanship. The European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 has made this project possible. We want to continue it beyond the European Capital of Culture year and develop it into a sustainable tourist offer that sets an example for other regions."
Saxony's Minister of State for Culture and Tourism, Barbara Klepsch, praised the Maker Advent: "The Maker Advent impressively demonstrates how creativity and tourism can merge to create authentic experiences that touch people. This concept is exemplary of modern, sustainable and culturally diverse tourism that invites guests to join in. I would like to congratulate everyone involved on winning the German Tourism Award 2025 and thank them for their great commitment in realising this special project."
The project, which is unique in Germany, brings together creative hands-on activities in Chemnitz and the Capital of Culture region. During the Maker Advent, workshops, studios, museums and clubs open their doors in the run-up to Christmas and the festive season and invite people to get to know and try out new things. This is a creative way to learn about Saxon craft traditions and modern technologies. Thanks to the diversified programme and the involvement of new players (workshops, museums, etc.), the Maker Advent makes it possible to experience the cultural heritage of an entire region and sustainably strengthens tourism and the economic power of the region by creating new creative experiences and passing on endangered craft and creative techniques, especially to a younger audience.
The Maker Advent is part of the main programme of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 and is taking place for the third time this year. in 2025, 160 hands-on activities in 42 cities and municipalities invite you to get to know and try things out. The variety of workshop formats ranges from traditional techniques such as lace-making, leatherworking or candle-making to digital formats and 3D printing. All offers are published in a brochure as well as online.
to the Maker Advent 2025
The Maker Advent is designed and implemented by the Chemnitz 2025 main project Makers, Business & Arts, which is organised by the Landesverband der Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft Sachsen e.V. with funding from the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH.
