Chemnitz Peace Day on 5 March 2020
With the Peace Day on Thursday, 5 March, Chemnitz is once again setting an example for democracy, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and cosmopolitanism, against hatred and neo-fascism on the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. 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 9 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. Young people who are active in the Theatre Youth Club of Chemnitz Municipal Theatre have developed their own thoughts on the subject of peace and the commemoration of 5 March 1945. They also take a look at today's society, current references and demands for a diverse, tolerant coexistence and will present these at the commemorative event. The event will be accompanied musically by Markus Funk, a teacher at the municipal music school.
At 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., the film "Children at War" from 2018 will be shown in the city council chamber in the town hall. At 3 pm and 5 pm, the film "The Last Witnesses" from 2019 will be shown. In both films, Chemnitz residents who experienced 5 March 1945 as children have their say. After the film screenings, which each last around 30 minutes, there will be an opportunity to talk about the film and the events described with contemporary witnesses from Chemnitz in the Grüner Salon.
In the lobby on the 2nd floor of the town hall, handicrafts and pictures on the subject of peace, which were created in some Chemnitz nurseries and after-school care centres, will be on display from 3 to 6 March.
On the evening of 5 March at 6 p.m., Mayor Barbara Ludwig will take part in the Peace Day event under the motto "Culture - Language - Religion". The event will be organised by the Jewish Community of Chemnitz. The diversity of Chemnitz will be expressed through song, poetry and prayer. For example, languages spoken in Chemnitz will be heard. Participants include members of the Chemnitz Jewish community, representatives of the monotheistic religions in Chemnitz as well as actors and musicians from Chemnitz and Berlin.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to place candles on a dove of peace measuring around 2.5 x 2.5 metres and light them up symbolically. The town hall will be illuminated with a dove of peace during the event. As every year, the Peace Cross will also be on Neumarkt.
Further information on the Chemnitz Peace Day can be found at www.chemnitz.de/friedenstag or www.chemnitzer-friedenstag.de.