<Discussions and visits to facilities in the European Capital of Culture

The knowledge trip of a Chemnitz delegation to the Danish city of Aarhus, which is this year's European Capital of Culture together with the Cypriot city of Paphos, has brought important insights for the Chemnitz application. Mayor Barbara Ludwig, city councillors, cultural director Ferenc Csák, the general director of the Chemnitz Municipal Theatres, Dr. Christoph Dittrich, CWE managing director Sören Uhle, Egmont Elschner as chairman of the cultural advisory board and the president of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Gunnar Bertram, travelled to Denmark.

Above all, the discussion with the head of the Aarhus cultural office, Ib Christensen, gave the guests from Chemnitz interesting insights into the cultural strategy of the Danish city, the application process and also the effects that the title Capital of Culture brings with it. According to this, the city of Aarhus is putting the topic of culture at the centre of its overall urban policy and urban development. Ib Christensen described this focus and the associated persuasion work as "hard work, but worth it". Especially in the process of applying for the title of Capital of Culture, it is important to "harmonise art and culture with social challenges of the past, present and future. Political consensus and the involvement of the region are also important in such an application, as is the issue of citizen participation. "Capital of Culture is a project with the city and not just for the city," said Christensen. It is already apparent that Aarhus is being perceived in a completely different way in the country and also internationally – especially in terms of tourism. But the application and the title have also paid off for the city itself: "We have learned and developed so much during the process. This knowledge will remain in the city and its citizens even after 2017".

Mayor Barbara Ludwig, who was allowed to sign the Golden Book of the City of Aarhus, explains: "The trip to Aarhus was an important gain in knowledge for all those involved. We experienced a city that is very similar to Chemnitz: Through Copenhagen it was always in the shadow of a big neighbour. The port, industry and trade are focal points and at the same time have undergone a structural change. And Aarhus is a university city. The discussions with both my counterpart and the heads of the city administration have given us valuable information on how the application process should be structured and what sustainability such a title will have. The visit to the institutions was a further insight, because it showed us the importance of culture in urban development.

Cultural director Ferenc Csák: "The city of Aarhus has shown what enormous development potential can be mobilised with the application process and subsequently with the title of European Capital of Culture. Co-ordinated strategies across the entire administration, professional management, broad support for the process in the city council, as well as the involvement of the region and a clear budget were important ingredients in the recipe for success. This has transformed Aarhus from a remarkable city in Europe to a European city in the true sense of the word. Thus, an important goal has been achieved with this title."

Gunnar Bertram, President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, member of the steering group and participant of the trip to Aarhus adds: “It was exciting for me to learn that the City of Aarhus’ application for the Capital of Culture was successful, also thanks to the intensive involvement of the region. For us in Chemnitz, this networking is also a good and sustainable opportunity for the future – hearing and meaning is the interaction between city and region. This is where Chemnitz’ application for the Capital of Culture can be an excellent starting point for everyone.

The 14-member delegation from Chemnitz stayed in Aarhus from 17 to 19 August. The programme of the trip included a city tour, visits to the cultural centre “Godsbanen”, where the city’s cultural office is also located, the AROS art museum and a tour of the newly built multimedia house Dokk1, which houses the city library and the Capital of Culture Secretariat.