Chemnitz celebrates 60 years of twinning with Ljubljana
Anyone interested is invited to attend the public event at the Garagen-Campus, Zwickauer Straße 164, from 6 pm.
At the official ceremony at 4 pm, Mayor Ralph Burghart will welcome a delegation from Ljubljana. From 6 pm, the doors will open to all interested members of the public, as this is when a freshly restored K67 will be ceremonially handed over by its owner, Dirk Dobiéy, to the Garagen-Campus on permanent loan in the courtyard of the Garagen-Campus. Saša J. Mächtig, Professor Emeritus at the University of Ljubljana and the architect and designer of the K67 from Ljubljana, will also be in attendance.
Afterwards, Tina Winkel, manager of Europe Direct Chemnitz, will invite guests to join in a discussion. One of the main tasks of the Europe Direct Chemnitz office is to permanently enliven the intervention areas of Chemnitz 2025 – European Capital of Culture, of which the Garagen-Campus forms part, through activities and events.
Afterwards, Tina Winkel and Dirk Dobiéy will provide an insight into the ‘Open & Connected’ programme and an outlook on the future use of the kiosk. They will discuss its history, its significance for the present and possible prospects for its future in Chemnitz. From 7 pm, DJs from Ljubljana and Chemnitz will be playing live sets from inside the kiosk.
Two-day event
The inauguration of the restored K67 kiosk marks the start of the ‘Open & Connected’ event, which, from 29 to 30 October, will place the K67 kiosk at the centre of a diverse programme focusing on design, architecture, urban space and social interaction. Alongside Saša J. Mächtig, architecture professor Dijana Handanović, architect Nikola Opačić and director and screenwriter Jasna Hribernik will offer insights into the history, cultural significance and future of the modular kiosk. Through lectures, film discussions and panel discussions, the event will explore how places of encounter are created and how sustainable relationships between people, cities and countries can be shaped and strengthened.
Background
The town twinning between Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, and Chemnitz has existed since 1966 and is brought to life through, amongst other things, sporting exchanges, youth meetings and collaboration on EU projects and within international organisations. Numerous exhibitions and artist exchanges bear witness to the lively cooperation in the cultural and artistic spheres. On Chemnitz’s Schloßteichinsel, one can now find a sculpture by the Slovenian artist Simcic, which was given a place of honour there in 1990 as a symbol of the friendship between the two cities.
Alongside the Garagen-Campus and the Saxon State Centre for Political Education, the City of Chemnitz is a partner in the ‘Open & Connected’ event, for which ‘Age of Artists’ and Europe Direct Chemnitz are responsible for the content. The City of Chemnitz is the organiser of the ceremony.