Germany has plenty of vibrant and bustling cities that are known globally, but one city that many people in Europe most probably have never heard of has been named as Europe’s 2025 Capital of Culture. Chemnitz – located in eastern Germany – taking the title might come as a surprise to the millions of people who have travelled to the culturally rich German tourist hubs of Berlin, Hamburg and Frankfurt. However, with its new win, Chemnitz is on a mission to promote what it has to offer with the city’s Capital of Culture theme being “C the unseen!”
The Capital of Culture is an idea that orginated in Greece, 40 years ago, to protect cultural heritage around the continent. Cities inclcuding Athens, Paris, Amsterdam and Florence, which all have a bundle of ancient culture, have been awarded the title in the past. Even Glasgow, Scotland, has won the accolade – but that was all the way back in 1990.
More and more cities with economic and social problems are submitting their bids to earn the Capital of Culture title, which is aimed to help start a new beginning. The European Union has shown support for the transformation with funding, reports Euro News.
There are over 2,000 volunteers for Capital of Culture Chemnitz, including Sophie and Cathleen, who said: “There are a lot of people who complain, who say that nothing will change here anyway. But that’s precisely where you have to step in and say: Of course you change something, by lending a hand yourself.”
The city is planning more than 1,000 events as part of the Capital of Culture year where Chemnitz residents and those from the surrounding area will be able to share their stories.
Event organiser Pascal Anselmi said: “If you try to get actively involved in your neighbourhood, that’s culture for me. The will to move something, to change something, to create something new. Don’t be passive – instead say: This is my city, I get involved, I participate. And that, of course, is democracy in the best sense of the word.”
