European Capital of Culture 2025
"Why not Chemnitz?"
The new commercial director of the Capital of Culture GmbH, Andrea Pier, introduces herself
On 31 May 2022, Lord Mayor Sven Schulze introduced the new Commercial Director of Kulturhauptstadt GmbH, Andrea Pier, at his press conference.
"The question I asked myself was 'Why not Chemnitz?" Andrea Pier replied with a smile when asked why she had chosen Chemnitz. "I was very impressed when I read the Chemnitz bid book. That's why I applied for the job."
Andrea Pier was born in Bielefeld and comes from a theatre family. She ended up in musical theatre by chance and stayed for 22 years. She has held various positions, most recently as Head of Human Resources at Stage Entertainment.
Andrea Pier is expected to take up her new position in Chemnitz in September. However, she has been in Chemnitz on and off for the past few weeks and is already involved in the current application processes for the management positions at Kulturhauptstadt GmbH as well as other decisions. "I am impressed by how many people from Chemnitz and the region are applying and how many people from Chemnitz who now live in other parts of the country want to return and are therefore applying."
For Andrea Pier, the special attraction of the Capital of Culture is that it combines classic city marketing with culture. The Chemnitz
What she likes best about Chemnitz's concept for the Capital of Culture year is the participatory approach: the fact that all Chemnitz residents, all associations and initiatives are invited to actively participate. Together with Stefan Schmidtke, the Managing Director first wants to set up Kulturhauptstadt GmbH. "I see my job as organising everything so that the programme can be implemented."
Lord Mayor Sven Schulze added: "It was clear to us from the outset that there should be a dual leadership in the Capital of Culture GmbH. We have now found this in Andrea Pier and Stefan Schmidtke and I believe that this harmonises very well. For the commercial management, we wanted someone who comes from the cultural sector and can drive projects forward in a solution-orientated way, and we have found exactly the right person in Andrea Pier."
Andrea Pier is keen to get people from Chemnitz and the region involved: "I find the Capital of Culture project incredibly exciting. For me, the focus is on ensuring that the Capital of Culture year has a lasting positive impact on the city."