Capital of Culture Decision Enters Home Stretch

Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer, University President Prof. Dr. Gerd Strohmeier, the Mayor-Elect of Chemnitz Sven Schulze and other players faced questions from an international jury about Chemnitz’s application - The decision on the title will be made on 28 October 2020

The city of Chemnitz and the players involved in the application for the European Capital of Culture 2025, including the Free State of Saxony and Chemnitz University of Technology, faced questions from the international jury on Chemnitz' application on 22 October 2020 in Chemnitz City Hall. Due to the current situation, the survey took place online. At the same time there was a virtual city visit at two locations. About 50 people and six camera teams were in action. After the first application round, Chemnitz was the fourth of a total of five remaining cities which the jury visited digitally in the second round. In addition to Chemnitz, Hanover, Hildesheim, Magdeburg and Nuremberg are also competing for the title.

The following people took part in the survey in the Stadthalle: Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer, Prof. Dr. Gerd Strohmeier, President of Chemnitz University of Technology, the current Mayor of Chemnitz Barbara Ludwig, the Mayor-Elect of Chemnitz Sven Schulze, Dr. Arnost Marks, Vice Dean for Creative Innovation at the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art at the University of West Bohemia and representatives of the movers and shakers behind the Capital of Culture program, Andreas Wöllenstein, Managing Director of Schloz Wöllenstein GmbH & Co. KG and representatives of the business community, Sonja Penzel, Police Commissioner of Chemnitz, Sören Uhle, Managing Director of the Chemnitz Economic Development Corporation (CWE) and Ferenc Csák, Director of the application.

Regarding the relevance of the title European Capital of Culture 2025, Prof. Dr. Gerd Strohmeier, President of Chemnitz University of Technology, emphasizes: "The title European Capital of Culture 2025 would bring the most striking change to Chemnitz since the German reunification. It would considerably contribute to the international life, the cosmopolitan culture, and the positive image of our city."

Two-part event to give a comprehensive picture of the application

Parallel to the presentation, a virtual city visit took place at two locations: at Ikarus Boulevard (on Straße Usti nad Labem) and at the Roter Turm in the city center. At the first station, the jury was informed via live stream about the basic topics of upheavals and changes in the application. In addition, the participants had the opportunity to talk to citizens about topics such as Europe and Eastern Modernism. At the second station, the jury was presented with the artistic program and the current status of the preparations - also via online broadcast.

Chemnitz University of Technology accompanied and supported the application with numerous initiatives over several years. The decision on the title European Capital of Culture 2025 is expected on 28 October 2020.

(Author: Matthias Fejes with material from the city of Chemnitz / Translation: Chelsea Burris)

Matthias Fejes
23.10.2020

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