Kristina lives in Neukirchen in the Erzgebirge. The former archivist and case manager has travelled to numerous events as a volunteer for Chemnitz 2025. She also loves writing, which is why she came up with the idea of collecting the volunteers' experiences - the starting signal for the volunteer editorial team.
In order to get to the office of the Kulturhauptstadt Europas Chemnitz 2025 gGmbh on time for an assignment on 24 April 2024, I quickly parked in the square between the Hartmannsporthalle and the Hartmannfabrik. The builders probably still had a lot to do before the listed building could be inaugurated. Will they manage it? How will participants and visitors experience 3 May? How many people from Chemnitz will want to visit the former ruins of the hall, which was built in 1864 for toolmaking?
Four days before the event, on 29 April 2024, all the volunteers who had registered for the opening of the Hartmann Factory (3 May) and Chemnitz Museum Night (4 May) met on the square between the Hartmannsporthalle and the Hartmann Factory. The construction vehicles had disappeared. This is where the accompanying programme for the opening of the future visitor and information centre would take place on 3 May. The emphasis is on future. The building is not yet accessible for events or as a central contact point for tourists, visitors from the region and Chemnitz citizens. Incidentally, the Hartmannfabrik is one of the 30 intervention areas of the Capital of Culture 2025.
Back to 29 April. We entered the hall full of expectation. The interior was still being worked on. Strictly speaking, it seemed that only the large futuristic-looking plant wall was still to be completed. Cloakrooms, an information desk and a catering counter were waiting to be installed. The lift was working, as were the toilets, of course. The building is completely barrier-free.
We made ourselves comfortable on armchairs, chairs and benches. As usual, the members of the marketing team gave us detailed information about the programme of events. We already had information about the history of the hall and its future use. Employees of gGmbH Chemnitz 2025 and us volunteers could sense that 3 May was going to be a special highlight. Our questions were answered patiently. During the tour of the gallery, there was a friendly "hello" between us and the employees of the administration department of the gGmbH, who had already moved into their new workplace. For the time being, employees from the Programme department will remain at Hartmannstraße 5 (Schmidtbankpassage).
I listened attentively, but also let my eyes and thoughts wander. This would be the central contact point for tourists and visitors. Numerous colourful chairs and armchairs were set out seemingly at random. These and permanently installed benches and stairs seemed to take some getting used to. Together with huge colourful curtains, the seating furniture gave an idea of how larger and smaller events would take place in the hall, where machine noise could once be heard. Perhaps high-ranking guests from Europe would also be received here.
For the third of May, I had chosen the shift from 6.00 pm. The weather was fine and I arrived at the site in front of the Hartmann factory in a good mood.
Part of the factory road had been converted into a Kettcar parcour. Children were already doing their laps. Even before I had reached the well-filled square, the distinctive voice of Lisa Hulinsky could be heard. The audience savoured their roasts, burgers and steaks. I would have loved to continue following the stage programme. But nothing there! I had come to "work"!
Impressively and perhaps unexpectedly, curious Chemnitz residents and visitors to the city had formed an impressive queue. People waited patiently in rows of three and four for admission. The queue was estimated to be 150 metres long. My volunteer colleagues at the entrance were already eager to get started. The visitors were greeted with a friendly "Welcome". Leaflets about the Capital of Culture process were handed out. Numerous questions were answered.
The visitors took in the hall or took a tour up to the gallery and back. Once at the bottom, a huge frame with the Chemnitz2025 logo invited them to take a souvenir photo. Hard-working employees of Kulturhauptstadt Europas Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH had installed a large presentation on the history of the building. Another presentation gave an overview of the Capital of Culture sponsors. Four people at a time were able to savour the Capital of Culture atmosphere in a kind of pavilion.
Get a taste of the Capital of Culture atmosphere. A video ran in an endless loop, using images and sound to convey impressions of the Capital of Culture process.
It was soothing to feel the harmonious atmosphere of this great day. A good sign for the year 2025!
21.00:00: The imposing gates of the Hartmannfabrik were closed.
Andrea Pier, Managing Director of gGmbH, proudly summarised this momentous day in three words: "What a day!" Stephan Schmidtke, Managing Director Programme, was also relieved. Both thanked the employees and volunteers. The after-show party could begin.
