In the volunteer editorial team, volunteers for Chemnitz 2025 publish reports on their experiences, assignments and adventures around the European Capital of Culture.
Jan lives in Chemnitz and works as an IT project manager. His motivation is to make an active contribution to the success of the European Capital of Culture year in order to give Chemnitz a positive development boost. He enjoys contributing his intercultural experience and language skills to the volunteer assignments.
How have Chemnitz and the people of Chemnitz changed during the Capital of Culture year? How has the view of our city changed? How do non-Chemnitz residents feel about our city?
Now that the Capital of Culture year is coming to an end, these questions are exciting for me to mirror my own feelings with the feedback from visitors.
The reading with US-American Kathryn Scanlan, who lived in Chemnitz for two months and worked on her book "Boxenstart" during this time, but also experienced the city, took place on 24 October. The agenda included a reading from the current book and a discussion about her experiences in Chemnitz.
We were there as volunteers for admission and visitor support. Overall, it was very relaxed, so there was an opportunity for a quick photo with the author at the beginning. Of course, we were able to attend the reading, which was hosted by Kathryn, publisher Jan Karsten and Zoe Beck.
The book itself is the story of the life of a horse trainer - Sonia - from the Midwest of the USA. The book is largely based on the biography of a real person in the tough world of horse racing. The ensuing discussion quickly led to questions about the author's experiences in our city, her living and working in Brühl, her daily walks along the castle pond and her experience of a colourful autumn.
She summarised her very positive impressions as follows: "I enjoyed the peace and quiet of working on the Brühl just as much as the cheerfulness of the children in front of the school next door." In her words, a stark contrast to her home city of Los Angeles. She was also impressed by the "openness and commitment of the citizens to their city" as well as the fact that "there are always people who get involved and make a difference".
For me, this is another great piece of feedback, which shows that a lot of good things that were already there have become more visible thanks to the Capital of Culture, have become more firmly established and that we in Chemnitz can be proud of what we have achieved.
