We have made it to the second round of the German selection process for the European Capital of Culture 2025. One aspect in favour of the jury’s vote was the broad participation of the people of Chemnitz in the application process. For example, over 50 micro-project ideas from the city society have received financial support to date. The application period for the sixth round of funding ended on 31 March – it is also the first in the second round.

Almost 50 applications have been received. The topics range from day festivals of various genres to cross-disciplinary exhibitions, from city history to workshops, from art and theatre in public spaces to leisure sports ideas and publications.

The creative minds’ desire for new formats and forms of expression, the examination of city-relevant issues and a wide range of offers is still unbroken, and in times of cultural stagnation has even grown. For this reason, the funding round should be concluded without delay.

The project applications are now submitted to the jury of Chemnitz residents, which was appointed by the programme council of the application. The micro-project submitters will be informed at the beginning of May. The project funds will be provided by Chemnitz2025 and the Klub 2025, an association of the economy to support the application.