25 years full of stories: Chemnitz meets Karl-Marx-Stadt
The history of Chemnitz's name is unique and still moved visitors to the "Chemnitz meets Karl-Marx-Stadt" event after 25 years. In glorious sunshine, several hundred guests and contemporary witnesses gathered on Neumarkt and got talking to each other.
During the panel discussion at the beginning of the programme, Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig, former Lord Mayor Dr Eberhard Langer and one of the organisers of the referendum, Claus Modaleck, spoke about the decisive days when Karl-Marx-Stadt became Chemnitz again. Afterwards, contemporary witnesses and visitors exchanged views at a speed dating event. Participants included pastor Stefan Brenner, headmaster of the Chemnitz school model Jens Berger, Rico Chemnitz, Wolfgang Kandt, who was one of the last Chemnitz residents to be born on 9 May 1953, and athletes Michael Hübner and Jens Schmidt. In the late afternoon, city guide Martina Wutzler led the visitors on an architectural tour of the city.
Publication "Two names, one city"
The new publication with partly unpublished documents was particularly popular on this day: "Two names, one city. Tracing the renaming of Karl-Marx-Stadt to Chemnitz". On 25 pages, the brochure tells stories from the city's renaming in 1953 and its renaming in 1990, including previously unpublished photos by Helmut Pfeifer from Claus Modaleck's archive. Further material comes from the Chemnitz City Archive, the Office of the Federal Commissioner for Stasi Records and other contemporary witnesses. Those involved in the renaming process talk about their motivation, feelings, ambivalence and passions. The interviewees include tower keeper Stefan Weber (it was one of his last interviews), honorary citizen and former superintendent Christoph Magirius, former Lord Mayor Dr Eberhard Langer, the organiser of the referendum Claus Modaleck and Manfred Hastedt, head of the Environmental Centre - representing the many reunification projects that have emerged over the past 25 years. The brochure is now available at the reception desk of the New Town Hall while stocks last.
Also available as a free audio book download
The story of the renaming is also available to listen to. "Two names, one city - an acoustic journey through time to the renaming and renaming of Chemnitz" is now available as a free audiobook download on the city's online channels. Claus Modaleck was one of the interview partners in this feature.
Historical background
On 1 June 1990, the city was given back its original name of Chemnitz after 37 years as Karl-Marx-Stadt. In a referendum in April 1990, the majority of the population voted in favour of the city name Chemnitz. As a result, the city council decided by a large majority to rename the city on 1 June 1990.
Since that day, the city has once again borne its historical name Chemnitz.
Further information, texts and media can be found at www.die-stadt-bin-ich.de/wendegeschichten/.
