On Thursday, 5 March, Chemnitz will commemorate the destruction of the city during the Second World War with the 25th Chemnitz Peace Day under the title "Staying Peaceful" and at the same time set an example for peace, democracy and social cohesion. Under the guiding principle of joint and active remembrance, the Chemnitz Peace Day working group and the City of Chemnitz, together with numerous initiatives, associations, churches, educational institutions and committed citizens, are inviting people to take part in a diverse programme.
"The Chemnitz Peace Day brings together people who are asking themselves questions in view of the current wars, the discussion about armament and the ability to wage war: Where is the intensive endeavour for peace? Who is taking responsibility for peace in the world and between us? What can each of us do? Answers are not easy. But the desire for peace and the concern for its preservation unites us all on this special day. It's great and important for us to see that more people are taking part this year than ever before," says Sabine Kühnrich, spokesperson for the Chemnitz Peace Day working group.
The Chemnitz Peace Day combines historical remembrance with current issues of peaceful coexistence. The aim is to keep memories alive and at the same time open up perspectives for respectful coexistence in the present and future.
The Chemnitz Peace Day working group can also look back on a quarter of a century of intensive voluntary work. An exhibition will also be on display at Neumarkt.
"Over the years, a close cooperation with the city of Chemnitz has grown in the organisation of the Chemnitz Peace Day. It's great that the city is so involved. We say thank you for that," says Stephan Brenner, member of the working group. "We are also grateful for the generous financial support from the City of Chemnitz's cultural organisation and the Bertha von Suttner Foundation," adds Sabine Kühnrich.
The following events on 5 March (excerpts) throughout the city offer space for exchange, education, culture and encounters:
10 a.m. - Joint commemoration and wreath-laying ceremony
Location: Municipal cemetery, entrance Augsburger Straße
All victims of war and tyranny are commemorated with a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial to the victims of the bombing on 5 March 1945. Representatives of urban society will commemorate the events of 5 March 1945 and call for responsibility for peace and humanity.
11.30 a.m. - Opening at the Peace Cross
Place: Neumarkt
The Peace Cross symbolises the commemoration of all victims of war. Citizens can leave their personal wishes for peace there. These actions combine artistic forms of expression with the active participation of urban society.
11.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Programme on the memorial and action area
Location: Neumarkt
Neumarkt will be the central location of the Peace Day throughout the day. Visitors can expect a varied programme with the peace banner exhibition of the youth art project, information and dialogue offers from civil society initiatives, readings, musical contributions and interviews, hands-on activities for children and families as well as exhibitions on democracy, diversity and the culture of remembrance.
FRIEDEN - Action stands on the Neumarkt
| F | Flutes for peace Music connects people worldwide. Make your own flute and join in the great sound of peace (with FabLab - Stadtfabrikanten e. V.). |
| R | Red Hand Day - No child soldiers! Give your RED HAND to end the abuse of minors as soldiers worldwide (with Chemnitzer Friedensinitiative). |
| I | Living in peace, also elsewhere People from different nations inform together about the current war and crisis regions in the world (with the City of Chemnitz Migration Advisory Council). |
| E | A dove for peace Make your own personalised peace dove and make it coo (with Holzkombinat Chemnitz). |
| D | Print for peace Print fabrics and flags with your own peace wishes (with Kreativzentrum des KJF e. V. Chemnitz and Peter Fiebig). |
| E | Limited fitness for service? Discuss with young people who are against compulsory military service because they reject war. |
| N | No to war Take a peace wish with you on a lovingly designed flower and talk to others over coffee and tea (with grandmas against the right). |
12 noon - Opening of the multimedia exhibition about the United Nations "#DieUNandWIR"
Location: Town Hall, ground floor exhibition room
The exhibition organised by the German United Nations Association provides information about the UN's most important areas of work: peacekeeping, human rights, the environment and development. Multimedia and interactive elements are used to explain the workings and structure of the United Nations.
The exhibition can be seen from 5 March 2026, 12 noon, until 10 April 2026, Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
from 12 noon - contemporary witness films
Location: Town Hall, City Council Chamber
Film contributions convey personal memories of war and destruction and make history tangible, especially for younger generations:
- 12 noon "The Eternal March" (2021; 35 min.)
- 1 p.m. "The Last Witnesses" (2019; 25 min.)
- 2 p.m. "Peace XXL" (2026; 25 min.) - film on the banner project by Aktion ©
- 2.45 pm "Contemporary witness film "Brigitta Trojahn" (2025, Untere Luisenschule; 20 min.)
- 3.30 pm "Children at war" (2018; 60 min.)
- 4.30 pm "Justin Sonder" (2024; 60 min.)
The film series opens up individual perspectives on the events of the Second World War and their significance for the present day.
3 p.m. - Musical programme and texts
Location: St Jakobi City Church, Jakobikirchplatz 1
Members of the Jewish community will read texts from Judaism on the subject of peace, accompanied by music from the "Streichhölzer" orchestra of the Chemnitz Municipal Music School (conductor: Andreas Winkler). Afterwards, from 4.00 pm, the "Grandmas against the Right" will read, accompanied by the choir of the Municipal Music School.
from 4.30 pm or 5 pm - Peace trails through the city
Groups will set off from various locations in the city area on their way to Neumarkt. The paths begin at different times at various starting points, including churches, social institutions and meeting places. They symbolise the diversity of urban society and lead together to the evening event.
At 4.30 pm, representatives of the City of Chemnitz, the Buntmacher and other participants will meet with contemporary witness Brigitte Glänzel at Turnstraße 39 and then take part in the Peace Walks.
Brigitte Glänzel lived through 5 March 1945 at Turnstraße 39. She will talk about that night at her old home, where a stele now commemorates the bombing during the Second World War.
Starting points from 4.30 pm:
- House of Trade Unions, Augustusburger Straße 33
- Lutherkirche Schönau, Zwickauer Straße 255
- Stele at Turnstraße 39
Further starting points from 5 pm:
- ASB residential centre, Rembrandtstraße 15
- Islamic cultural association in Chemnitz e. V., Mosque Solbrigstraße 22a
- Jewish community, Stollberger Straße 28
- "ZUHAUSE" - Brühl/Elisenstraße
- Propsteikirche St Johannes Nepomuk, Hohe Straße 1St. Josephkirche Sonnenberg, Ludwig-Kirsch-Straße 19
- Church of Peace, Kaßbergstraße 30
- St. Petrikirche, Theaterplatz
6 p.m. - Central event of the Peace Day "Staying Peaceful"
Venue: Neumarkt
With greetings, artistic accompaniment and musical contributions, the central rally is the highlight of the day. It combines remembrance of the past with a shared view of a peaceful future.
Christoph Magirius, honorary citizen and long-standing member of the Chemnitz Peace Day working group, Michael Veihelmann, theological director of the Zeisigwaldkliniken Bethanien and winner of the Chemnitz Peace Prize 2008 for the free medical treatment of children from war and crisis zones, and Dr Christoph Dittrich, director of the Chemnitz Municipal Theatre, which has supported the Peace Day from the very beginning, will give their thoughts on peace. Soloists from the Chemnitz Ballet under the direction of ballet director Sabrina Sadowska will provide the artistic organisation.
8 pm - Ecumenical service "Restoration of Justice"
Location: St Jakobi City Church, Jakobikirchplatz 1
Justice is one of the prerequisites for peace. This peace service shows that what applies on a large scale is also of great importance in interpersonal relationships. Pastor Anne Straßberger, the chaplain for Chemnitz Prison, will be a guest. The Cross of Nails will also be sent on a journey during the service: It will be visiting Chemnitz Prison and the Christuskirch parish in the weeks following the Peace Day.
(There will be a public preliminary talk to the service in the church from 7.30 pm).
Followed by a joint walk to the Peace Cross
9 p.m. - Joint conclusion at the Peace Cross
Place: Neumarkt
The Chemnitz Peace Day ends with a collective moment of pause and sets a visible sign for peace and cohesion in the city's society.
The Chemnitz Peace Day thrives on the commitment of numerous partners from civil society, culture, science, religion and education. Together, they create a programme that combines remembrance with responsibility and shows how peace can be actively lived in everyday life.
The Chemnitz Peace Day working group and the City of Chemnitz cordially invite all interested parties to take part in the Peace Day on 5 March, attend events and together send a visible signal for peace and cohesion.
Chemnitz Peace Prize 2026
Friday, 6 March, 6 pm
Location: City Hall, City Council Chamber
The Chemnitz Peace Prize 2026 will be awarded by the citizens' association FUER CHEMNITZ e. V. and the City of Chemnitz's migration officer, Etelka Kobuß. The award ceremony will be accompanied by music from the Chemnitz Municipal Music School. There will be a reception afterwards. The event is open to the public.
The full programme and further information:
www.chemnitz.de/friedenstag
www.chemnitzer-friedenstag.de