The volunteer team of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 and in particular the Chemnitz Free Walking Tours are among the "Tourism Heroes of Saxony 2025". The award is presented to people who are committed to tourism in Saxony with passion, dedication and heart and soul. A total of 64 tourism heroes were honoured on the evening of 20 November 2025 as part of a festive appreciation event at the Touristik & Caravaning Leipzig trade fair.
The Free Walking Tours are a separate project run by around 40 volunteers from the Chemnitz 2025 volunteer programme, all of whom are united by their enthusiasm for their city and the idea of giving visitors an understanding of Chemnitz on a relaxed tour with local colour. The tours take place every Saturday in German and English. The last tours this year will take place on 20 December 2025.
Danny Weigelt, Christian Schmidt and Jana Nitzsche, representing the approximately 40 volunteer guides, and Michelle May, coordinator of the Chemnitz 2025 volunteer team, accepted the award on site. The laudatory speech was given by Alexander Dierks, President of the State Parliament and President of the Saxony Tourism Association.
"It's so nice to see that our favourite project, which started in April 2025, has received so much encouragement and that our commitment is being recognised far beyond Chemnitz. Our team gives its all every Saturday to give guests from all over the world a first personal impression of Chemnitz," says Danny Weigelt, founding member of the Free Walking Tours.
Over 1300 volunteers are involved in the European Capital of Culture volunteer programme. As ambassadors for Chemnitz 2025 and their city, they provide support at events, in organisational matters, at information stands or at the reception of the Hartmannfabrik Visitor and Information Centre. So far, they have been involved in around 10,000 assignments and volunteered a total of 45,000 hours. The participants come from Chemnitz, the region and other cities and countries in Europe.
free Walking Tours Chemnitz
volunteer programme of Chemnitz 2025
press photos: Volunteers of Chemnitz 2025
The "Saxony 2025 Tourism Heroes" were awarded jointly by the Saxon State Ministry of Science, Culture and Tourism, TC Leipzig, the Saxony Tourism Association, the Saxon Chambers of Industry and Commerce, DEHOGA SACHSEN e.V. and the Saxony Regional Directorate of the Federal Employment Agency.
The award winners are involved in very different areas: in accommodation, catering, the cultural and leisure industry, in tourist resorts and regions, in the travel and tourism industry as well as in the area of young talent and in integration projects.
Press contacts:
Mareike Holfeld
Head of Press & Communication
Tel.: 0371 33563110
mareike.holfeld@chemnitz2025.de
Federico Antonelli
Chemnitz 2025 | Press & Communication
Phone: 0371 33563117
