25 years of renaming in Chemnitz - looking for memories from citizens
Photos, documents and memories of the renaming of Karl-Marx-Stadt to Chemnitz
In the 25th year of German reunification, the city is looking for memories from citizens who want to talk about the peaceful revolution, the historical events of 1989 and 1990 and the renaming of the city. For the inhabitants of our city, the peaceful revolution brought about a significant change: Karl-Marx-Stadt became Chemnitz again. In a citizens' survey on 23 April 1990, 76.14 percent of those eligible to vote were in favour of renaming the city. This was followed by the official decision of the city council on 1 June 1990, and since then the city has once again borne its historic name of Chemnitz.
Stories from the peaceful revolution to reunification can be found at http://www.die-stadt-bin-ich.de/wendegeschichten/. Further photos, documents and contemporary reports are being sought. The material for a planned publication should be available by 30 April. What did you experience? Do you still have documents, photos, films or contemporary testimonies that record the renaming of the city?
Of course it is also possible to send in your story by post:
City of Chemnitz, Communications, Marketing and Policy Issues, Markt 1, 09111 Chemnitz,
or by e-mail to
Over the next few days, the city will also be collecting further testimonials, which will be presented on the city marketing campaign website www.die-stadt-bin-ich.de and in the official gazette. To date, around 300 can be read in words, pictures or videos. How do the people of Chemnitz say "Yes" to Chemnitz today? People describe their relationship to their city with honest, direct, creative, but also critical and very affectionate statements.
In addition to the publication, various events are planned in and around the town hall to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the renaming on 1 June. You will receive further information on the planned activities in the coming weeks.