Opening of the Capital of Culture year on 18 January 2025
Chemnitz will kick off the year as the European Capital of Culture with a full-day programme on Saturday, 18 January 2025. The Saxon city shares the title with 38 municipalities from the Ore Mountains, Central Saxony, and the Zwickau region. Under the theme “C THE UNSEEN”, Chemnitz 2025 will reveal previously overlooked aspects of an East German city and region known for its transformation, resilience, and reinvention. The roots of Chemnitz’s European identity lie in its rich history. With over 1,000 events planned for the Capital of Culture year, the people of Chemnitz and the surrounding region will place their local stories within a broader European context.
You can now apply for accreditation for the opening of the Capital of Culture year. Please note that accreditation for the ceremony in the Opera House is only possible until 16 December 2024 due to limited admission. There is a media pool for photo and TV.
The opening programme will offer a first glimpse of the Capital of Culture year.
In a ‘programme showcase’, more than 60 of the 160 Capital of Culture projects will be presented across three stages in the Chemnitz Stadthalle throughout the day, providing brief insights into their initiatives. In the afternoon, three open-air stages will be set up in the city centre, offering changing programmes every half hour. A ‘Cuisine of Nations’ will invite visitors to experience the city’s diverse culinary offerings.
120 volunteers will come together in eight teams to pull the historic steam locomotive ‘Hegel’, built by the renowned Chemnitz engineer Richard Hartmann, through the city centre at 5pm. This event is a reference to the city’s industrial past, when locomotives were transported to the railway station by horse-drawn carts due to the lack of railway tracks.
“This action looks to the past, but also envisions the future,” says Lars-Ole Walburg. Together with Timo Martens, Robert Schweer, and Maria Walter, the theatre director is responsible for the artistic programme of the opening ceremony. “This steam train event takes us through the last 140 years to 2025. It highlights the can-do spirit of the people here, who have always achieved great things. If we all pull together and maintain a strong democratic attitude, despite differing opinions, we will be able to tackle European and global challenges in the future.”
The highlight of the day will be the grand opening show at 7pm, staged around the Karl-Marx statue in Chemnitz city centre. After the stage show, everyone is invited to celebrate with a rave in front of the town hall and later in the city’s clubs.
On Sunday, 19 January, a panel discussion on current European issues will take place at the Hartmannfabrik, the Chemnitz 2025 visitor and information centre. An open air music programme will also be held on the stage at Neumarkt from 11am to 2pm.
“The opening of the Capital of Culture year is a significant moment for our city and the entire region,” says Andrea Pier, Commercial Director of Chemnitz 2025. “Since winning the title in 2020, many people have worked tirelessly to bring this unique project to life. They have learned, forged new partnerships, initiated European collaborations, and planned for the future. Now, it’s time to begin. Chemnitz is the European Capital of Culture 2025. We are ready and excited to welcome our guests.”
Stefan Schmidtke, Programme Director of Chemnitz 2025, adds: “As European Capital of Culture, Chemnitz 2025 will be in the international spotlight. This is an exceptional opportunity to showcase what investment in culture, public engagement, and European exchange can achieve. We have the chance to demonstrate that coming together for cultural, sport or other events fosters understanding and tolerance. These gatherings create spaces where different perspectives can be shared and opinions exchanged. We warmly invite everyone to celebrate cosmopolitanism, diversity, and solidarity with the opening of the Capital of Culture year, and in doing so, actively stand against those who question democratic values.”
Programme for the Opening of Chemnitz 2025
Saturday, 18 January 2025
11 a.m. - Press conference
Carlowitz Congresscenter Chemnitz, accreditation required
11 am - 6 pm - “Programme showcase”
Chemnitz-2025-projects show short stage presentations
Stadthalle Chemnitz, open to the public
2-6 pm - Stage programme in the city centre
New acts every half hour
Neumarkt, Düsseldorfer Platz, Jakobikirchplatz, public
4-5.30 pm - Chemnitz 2025 Official Opening Ceremony
Opera Chemnitz, invitation only, limited availability, Press-Accreditation until 16. December 2024 only
There will be a live stream of the official opening ceremony.
6 pm - “Pulling the steam locomotive”
120 people will be pulling a historic locomotive built by Chemnitz engineer Richard Hartmann
Zentralhaltestelle to Brückenstraße, open to the public
7 pm - Grand Opening show
Stage at Brückenstraße, open to the public, accreditation necessary for access to press area at Brückenstraße
Screens with live stream in the city centre
8 pm - Rave
Neumarkt, open to the public
8 pm - After-Parties in the Chemnitz clubs
open to the public
Sunday, 19 January 2025
11 am - 2 pm - Stage programme in the city centre
Neumarkt, open to the public
12 noon - 2 pm - Panel Discussion on European policy
Hartmannfabrik, open to the public, accreditation requested
