European Capital of Culture 2025 Begins in Chemnitz

 In 2025, both Chemnitz in Germany (opening 18 January) and Nova Gorica in Slovenia (opening 8 February) will become European Capitals of Culture. 

The European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 starts today, Saturday 18 January 2025, with a two-day opening festival that celebrates cultural diversity, cosmopolitanism and European togetherness. The residents of Chemnitz and their guests will come together to celebrate democracy, the European idea and peaceful coexistence. The motto of the title year is ‘C the Unseen’. The people of Chemnitz and the 38 municipalities in the Capital of Culture region will present an extensive programme with 223 projects and over 1,000 events until the end of November 2025. 

Mayor Sven Schulze, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer, the European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef, and the Minister of State for Culture and the Media, Claudia Roth, will open the Capital of Culture Year with a ceremony in the afternoon. 

The highlight of the programme is a large open-air opening show in the city centre. The stage is framed by the Karl Marx Monument, which is iconic for Chemnitz. Admission is free and tens of thousands of visitors are expected. 

With the title of ‘European Capital of Culture’ awarded by the European Union, the spotlight is now on the people, places and activities in Chemnitz and the Capital of Culture region for almost a year. This is the culmination of an extensive structural development process that began many years ago and is intended to have a lasting impact. Chemnitz 2025 is a unique participatory project that promotes civic engagement through cultural activities. The European idea takes centre stage. This year, Chemnitz is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the European Capitals of Culture. 

The programme for the Capital of Culture year consists primarily of projects that people from Chemnitz and the Capital of Culture region have contributed themselves. They centre on participation and a broad concept of culture and demonstrate the diversity of society. In preparation for the Capital of Culture year, many European co-operations have been established that have brought people together and provided new perspectives.  

Chemnitz 2025 is more than just an extraordinary year of culture - it is an invitation to discover a previously unseen city and region in eastern Germany. For the people who live here, it is an opportunity to share their vision of a sustainable society worth living in and European togetherness.

Statements on the occasion of the Opening of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025

Sven Schulze, Mayor of Chemnitz: “For a long time, Chemnitz was a city in the shadows, a place that many did not know, deliberately ignored or consciously avoided. A city with obvious fractures and scars, but also a city that has constantly found and reinvented itself and developed further from within. Much of what has been created here is not visible at first glance - and yet it is well worth seeing. I invite you to join us on this journey of discovery. Look for the stories behind the garage doors, in the workshops, in our museums, in front of the stages or on our sports fields. Let yourself be surprised by the creativity that lives here and unites us, by the strength of our city, by its honesty and down-to-earth attitude, by the diversity that Chemnitz has to offer. Pack your suitcase and discover the European idea in Chemnitz. Free of reservations, without preconceived ideas or prejudices, but with an open heart. With curiosity and joy for all the undiscovered, the previously hidden things that make our city so exciting.”

Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport: “Congratulations to Chemnitz, one of our 2025 European Capitals of Culture! I look forward to a whole year of celebrations showcasing the diversity, identities and values of the European Union. And I want to thank Chemnitz for the richness and diversity of events and projects being organised. It truly shows the power of culture as a force for good for our societies and democracies.”

Claudia Roth, Minister of State for Culture and the Media: "Culture is the heartbeat of our democracy and the cultural heart of Europe is beating this year here in Chemnitz and the entire region, as well as with our friends in Nova Gorica. With this impressive programme, Chemnitz and all 38 participating municipalities have the potential to create a cultural beacon that will radiate throughout Europe. For Chemnitz, this is an opportunity to become known throughout Europe and to create long-term structures from which the entire region can benefit in the long term. The programme that has been put together here for the Capital of Culture year together with citizens, local cultural institutions, associations and initiatives is as impressive as it is promising. It addresses a broad audience and presents culture as an area of diversity, vibrant democracy, close European co-operation and openness to the world. It is a particular pleasure for me to be here today for the Federal Government at the opening of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz.“

Saxony's Minister of Culture Barbara Klepsch: "The Capital of Culture is incredibly important for the people of Chemnitz, the region and the whole of Saxony. It offers them previously unimagined opportunities. That is why I am very grateful that we have been given this unique opportunity. For decades, the people here have had an overwhelming desire to be able to show what makes them special, what is important to them and what fills them with pride. And today marks the start of a whole year full of opportunities to do just that: Numerous projects offer a wide variety of events, information and exchange opportunities for the people of the city, the region and for all the guests we are expecting in the coming months. Traditions such as the local mining and industrial culture will be brought together with contemporary art and culture, for example on the Purple Path art and sculpture trail. All of these projects will make visible what characterises the city and region, what is important to the people here and also what they want. Art and culture act as a driving force for the future here.“

Ingo Seifert, Mayor of Schneeberg: “The cultural and creative industries are still a sleeping - still invisible - economic giant, especially in the Capital of Culture region. That is why I am convinced that the European Capital of Culture year is a unique opportunity to sustainably raise the potential of this economic sector. True to the motto C the Unseen, all guests of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 are cordially invited to discover the 38 communities in which Makerhubs are emerging and where the PURPLE PATH art and sculpture trail is creating new connections. Enjoy the hospitality along the way, visit the artworks of renowned international artists, experience the preservation of tradition and marvel at the diversity of culture, craftsmanship and creativity. Find out more about the Ore Mountains/Krušnohory World Heritage, immerse yourself in the mining and cultural landscape, make contact with the friendly local people and discover the Capital of Culture region for yourself in a way that you have never seen before and therefore perhaps never expected.”

Andrea Pier, Commercial Managing Director Chemnitz 2025: “The Opening of the Capital of Culture year 2025 marks the beginning of a new transformation for Chemnitz and the entire region. This European project is much more than a short-term image boost; it is a catalyst for sustainable, future-oriented urban development. By promoting cultural diversity and strengthening international networks, we are creating space for new ideas, co-operations and economic impulses. At the same time, we are sending out a clear signal that culture plays a central role in the quality of life and attractiveness of our cities, especially in times of scarce resources. Chemnitz 2025 stands for long-term change and makes this region a strong force in Europe.“

Stefan Schmidtke, Programme Director Chemnitz 2025: “Being the European Capital of Culture means initiating far-reaching structural changes through cultural change that have a long-term impact. What makes Chemnitz 2025 so special is that the programme comes from the people of Chemnitz and the Capital of Culture region, their initiatives and their ideas. They have networked in the region and in Europe, created spaces for encounters, learnt new things, shared knowledge and invite people to join in. The European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 is a large participatory project. This unique approach to involvement and networking makes Chemnitz 2025 a role model for the future. Winning the title has already set a lot in motion - and the kick-off of this special year marks the beginning of a development that will have an impact far beyond 2025.“