Chemnitz Peace Day on 5 March 2019
With the Peace Day next Tuesday, 5 March, Chemnitz is once again setting an example for
74th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Chemnitz is once again sending out a signal in favour of democracy, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and cosmopolitanism, against hatred and neo-fascism. To this end, the Peace Day working group and a broad alliance from politics, culture, business, science and sport have prepared a varied programme for Chemnitz Peace Day.
Mayor Barbara Ludwig invites you to the traditional commemoration ceremony at the municipal cemetery on 5 March at 10 a.m. to mark Peace Day. A wreath will be laid at the memorial to the victims of the bombing of the city of Chemnitz. Barbara Ludwig will commemorate the victims of the destruction of Chemnitz 74 years ago with pupils from the Annenschule, who have developed and presented their thoughts on the topic together with the city's children's commissioner. The event will be accompanied by a programme from the music school.
The film "The last witnesses" will be shown at12 noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the city council chamber in the town hall, in which Chemnitz residents who experienced 5 March 1945 as children will have their say. Last year, the city called on Chemnitz war children to describe their personal experiences of 5 March 1945. More than 40 submissions were received. This resulted in the film, in which eight contemporary witnesses have their say, as well as a brochure, which will be available from Peace Day. At 1 pm and 3 pm, the film "Children at War", which was released last year, will also be shown in the City Council Chamber. After the film screenings, each lasting around 30 minutes, there will be an opportunity to talk about the film and the events described in the Green Salon. Discussion partners include Christoph Magirius, Hartwig Albiro, Karl-Heinz Kleve, Dr Stephan Pfalzer and Dagmar Ranft-Schinke.
From 5 to 8 March, handicrafts and pictures on the theme of peace, which were created in some Chemnitz nurseries and after-school care centres, will be on display in the Wandelhalle on the 2nd floor of the town hall.
On the evening of 5 March at 6 p.m., Mayor Barbara Ludwig will take part in the Peace Day event under the motto "Peace in dialogue". Well-known Chemnitz residents will give their views on the topic of peace and the brass ensemble of the Robert Schumann Philharmonic Orchestra will play festive brass music from two balconies, creating a dialogue between the two groups of musicians. The concept for this event was developed by Nancy Gibson.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to place candles on a dove of peace measuring around 2.5 x 2.5 metres and symbolically light them up. The town hall will be illuminated with a dove of peace during the event. As every year, there will also be a peace cross on Neumarkt square.
Free parking is available on Hartmannplatz during the event. Access is possible via the Hartmannstraße entrance.
Further information on the Chemnitz Peace Day can be found at www.chemnitz.de/friedenstag or www.chemnitzer-friedenstag.de.