Debate day: Encouragement and broad support for the European Capital of Culture application
“Yes, we would like to apply!” – With this clear position, Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig opened the debate day, to which the city of Chemnitz had invited last Wednesday in the Small Hall of the Stadthalle.

In the course of the almost two and a half hours of debate, the initiators of the application received a lot of support for their idea. The debate day was an experiment; never before had there been such a format in Chemnitz. Around 280 Chemnitz residents accepted the invitation.

The people of Chemnitz have given numerous examples of the city’s cultural wealth: the local industrial culture, the Industrial Museum, the TIETZ, the Spinning Mill, the Schlingel Film Festival, the Film Nights on Theaterplatz, the park railway, but also Chemnitz sports and many small clubs and initiatives.

Experiences from former capitals of culture, such as Glasgow in Scotland or Pécs in Hungary, were also included in the debate. The cities have become better known and more self-confident thanks to extensive media coverage. The public hopes for such effects, which will continue to have an impact for a long time to come, also for Chemnitz.

Compared to other cities such as Dresden, Leipzig or Innsbruck, Chemnitz would have plenty of free space. Several spokespersons saw a great opportunity to enliven these spaces with projects. This was combined with the wish to include the youth and the independent scene with their ideas and offers in the concept.

For not least, the city is counting on the influx of young people. Christoph Thoma, Austrian cultural manager and until recently the driving force behind a possible application by the Vorarlberg Rhine valley towns, encouraged the city to set out on the path of an application. In order to be successful, the European dimension of the idea is important.

The process alone is a gain, even if it does not work. Therefore a “Plan B” is important in the concept. Uwe Gaul, State Secretary in the Saxon Ministry of Science and Art, assured the support of all Saxon applications and welcomed the idea of presenting the applications in an open-minded way.

An application for the European Capital of Culture is a commitment to the European idea. But also the cultural discourse that arises with the applications is a chance for Saxony.

In a written greeting, Leipzig’s Mayor of Culture, Dr. Skadi Jennicke, offered support and cooperation within the metropolitan region.

Most of the members of the Bundestag, Landtag and city council present supported the idea. An extremely active cultural scene, a great and strong history including a rich industrial culture and the prospect of a unique chance to develop the city were often heard arguments for a self-confident application.

The fact that “one could also make a big fuss with the application” was therefore a quickly parried individual opinion. “It should be OUR application,” summarized Mayor Barbara Ludwig the evening. “The bigger Ours becomes, the greater the chance to bring the title to Chemnitz.” The path would continue with such formats as the debate day.