Good news from Dresden: The Saxon Cabinet today approved the agreement on the joint financing of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 and the appointment of the State Government Commissioner for the Capital of Culture.

The agreement regulates the financing on the part of the City of Chemnitz, the Free State of Saxony and the federal government as well as the use of financial resources for the implementation of projects and measures within the framework of the Capital of Culture 2025 in the coming years.

The Free State of Saxony will provide up to 20 million euros, the federal government up to 25 million euros and the City of Chemnitz at least 21.28 million euros.

 

Minister of Culture Barbara Klepsch emphasises: “The Capital of Culture Chemnitz not only has cultural-political relevance, but also generates economic and structural-political momentum for the entire region. For us as an entire Free State, this is a huge opportunity to present ourselves internationally and to network. Against this background, the Free State of Saxony and the federal government have pledged their respective financial support.”

Welcome to #TeamChemnitz2025 !

 State Secretary Thomas Popp

Foto: Sächsische Staatskanzlei / Pawel Sosnowski

In addition, State Secretary Thomas Popp was appointed State Government Commissioner for the Capital of Culture.

Anchored in the Saxon State Chancellery, his tasks from now on include centrally coordinating all matters relating to the European Capital of Culture 2025 within the state government and involving all departments in the work. In addition, he is the central contact person for the City of Chemnitz for interdepartmental matters and also maintains contact with the federal government.

State Secretary Thomas Popp explains: “The City of Chemnitz, the region and the entire state government will work together to make the European Capital of Culture 2025 a great success. The tasks will be spread over many shoulders: transport, business, science, education and environmental projects will all be part of this major project. To this end, I want to weave the threads within the state government and network the actors between the departments. In this way, we will become a reliable and competent partner for the city of Chemnitz and the entire region. I look forward to the task of making the charisma of the title we have won visible throughout the Free State and beyond.”

Chemnitz Mayor Sven Schulze is also delighted: “The cabinet’s decisions on the funding agreement give us security and reliability for our planning and that’s a great signal of support on the way to the European Capital of Culture 2025. We are also pleased that the state government has appointed a high-ranking contact person for Capital of Culture matters in the state chancellery with the appointment of State Secretary Thomas Popp.”