After Chemnitz was recommended by the European jury for the title of “European Capital of Culture 2025” in Germany on 28 October 2020, the jury has now given written reasons for its vote. In the report now published, the jury explains its decision on each city that qualified for the final round of the competition. The jury’s report can be viewed by the public on the website of the Cultural Foundation of the Federal States. For us, it is the starting point of a learning process to shape the coming years with all partners and the community.

To the press release of Chemnitz2025 (in german)

“The Panel concludes that the intention to identify and build a European community of creative professionals is based on a strong participatory process and is well embedded in the cultural development strategy of the city and region. The “maker-space.eu” platform and the related prospects of building a European community of creative artists are very promising and in line with the ECoC’s mission. The proposed concepts have a huge potential to be widely understood and to gain relevance. However, the artistic vision of the programme does not establish a clear link between concepts and projects. There is a good basis for a European narrative with the potential to activate the “silent middle”. The participatory approach and the related broad-based capacity-building programme are important assets. The commitment and clear support at different territorial levels is very convincing. The long-term investments in infrastructure and urban development are consistent and well linked to an exciting cultural programme that addresses the challenges of the city with the potential for a strong European resonance”.

(The Expert Panel’s report Selection Stage; EUROPEAN COMMISSION)