Grand opening party with 80,000 guests and several stages in the city
Chemnitz experienced an overwhelming start to the European Capital of Culture 2025 today. An estimated 80,000 people from Germany and abroad have been celebrating a big opening party in the city centre since the morning. Bright weather ensured a great mood and a good atmosphere on all the streets and squares. In his welcoming address at the show on Brückenstraße, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier declared Chemnitz European Capital of Culture 2025 open.
Lord Mayor Sven Schulze: "With the opening of our Capital of Culture year, the images we wanted have gone out into the world: a colourful, cheerful city full of people discovering and experiencing new things. We have already made many things visible that were previously hidden, and I am sure that this opening will make many people curious to experience Chemnitz for themselves and be surprised. Today, we are turning a new page in our city's history book and are looking forward to a year full of shared experiences and lasting inspiration."
"This kick-off was simply overwhelming," says Andrea Pier, Commercial Director of Chemnitz 2025. "Today we have experienced Chemnitz as a European Capital of Culture that has impressed tens of thousands of guests. Many thanks to the many Chemnitz residents who contributed to this."
The entire city centre was filled with concerts, performances and hands-on activities by many Chemnitz residents and well-known national and international artists on three stages and numerous event areas. At the well-attended programme showcase in the Stadthalle, around 10,000 visitors had the opportunity to get to know more than 60 of the 223 planned Capital of Culture projects.
Around 2,000 participants shaped the programme on and behind the stages. 450 volunteers from Chemnitz, but also from other cities, volunteered to help out today. They were involved in a wide range of activities, from looking after information stands and welcoming guests to organisational tasks. Many guests thanked the volunteers personally and were impressed by their commitment.
Around 120 people from associations in various districts of Chemnitz pulled the historic 20-tonne steam locomotive "Hegel" along the Straße der Nationen from the central stop to Brückenstraße in front of thousands of spectators.
Programme Director Stefan Schmidtke: "I am overjoyed that our idea for this day worked out so wonderfully. This is first and foremost thanks to the countless people who enthusiastically prepared it over many months.
Around 20,000 visitors watched the impressive opening show on Brückenstrasse.
The opening show staged by director Lars-Ole Walburg to mark the start of the European Capital of Culture year began with a brass fanfare composed by Theo Nabicht, which spiralled spherically from the roofs of high-rise buildings into the sky above Chemnitz. Set designer Robert Schweer had integrated the iconic Karl Marx monument in the centre of the stage, which was impressively surrounded by Timo Martens' light and video installation. Maria Walter was responsible for the design and staging.
The show built bridges between past, present and future, between the generations, between the local and the international. The versatile artist Anna Mateur, the musicians Dilla, Paula Carolina, Bosse, Alexander Scheer and Andreas Dresen as well as the Chemnitz Tuesday Singers and the dancers from the Room Hip Hop Spot and the ballet ensemble of the Chemnitz Theatre were also present.
The local ensemble Gran Orquesta de Tango Carambolage paid homage to the Argentinian bandoneon star Omar Massa, a traditional instrument that has its roots in Chemnitz and the Capital of Culture Region.
Unfortunately, the drone ballet to the music of DJ Fritz Kalkbrenner, which he produced especially for the event, could not start due to technical problems.
Afterwards, thousands of people celebrated at the Capital of Culture Rave, the open-air after-show party on Neumarkt. The party continued into the early hours in the opera house and in the city's clubs.
Around 250 journalists from 13 countries reported from Chemnitz today on the celebrations to mark the opening of the Capital of Culture year.
This opening marks the start of Chemnitz 2025, a celebration of European togetherness that will last eleven months. The title year as European Capital of Culture will end on 1 Advent.
