Chemnitz sets an example for Peace Day on 5 March
10 a.m. Wreath-laying ceremony at the municipal cemetery - 11.30 a.m. Inauguration of the Turnstraße information stele - 2 p.m. Naming of Peace Square - 3 p.m. Film premiere "Children at War" - 6 p.m. Rally on Neumarkt square
With the Peace Day next Monday, 5 March, Chemnitz is once again setting an example for democracy, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and cosmopolitanism, against hatred and neo-fascism on the 73rd 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 diverse programme for Chemnitz Peace Day.
"I invite all Chemnitz residents to make Peace Day a matter close to their hearts and to attend the diverse events," says Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig.
Mayor Barbara Ludwig invites you to the municipal cemetery on 5 March at 10 am to mark Peace Day. A wreath will be laid at the traditional memorial service for the victims of the bombing of the city of Chemnitz. Together with representatives of the City School Council, Barbara Ludwig will commemorate the victims of the destruction of Chemnitz 73 years ago. The event will be accompanied by a programme from the music school.
11.30 a.m. The "Children at War" stele will be unveiled. On Turnstraße near the southern railway station, where one of many residential buildings burned down on 5 March 1945, a stele today reminds us of how terrible war is and how children suffer under war. Three contemporary witnesses from the Second World War have their say. Stephan Tanneberger experienced the air raid as an almost 10-year-old child in Turnstraße together with his mother and 14-year-old brother. Karl-Heinz Kleve was 13 years old and lived on Kaßberg. He and his family were buried in the cellar and were able to escape through the neighbouring house. Justin Sonder, an honorary citizen of the city, also lost his home in Chemnitz during the Second World War. He was arrested in 1943 and deported to Auschwitz. He was one of the few survivors to return to Chemnitz after the war.
The stories of the war children can be heard at the stele at the touch of a button. The texts are also read aloud in German and English. This measure is co-financed by tax revenue on the basis of the budget approved by the members of the Saxon state parliament.
2 p.m. The square in front of the New Technical Town Hall will be named Peace Square. Mayor Barbara Ludwig will deliver a welcome address before the street sign is unveiled. Michael Morgner's sculpture "Reliquie Mensch" will also be on display.
At 3 pm, the film "Children at War", produced by the City of Chemnitz, will be shown in the city council chamber of the town hall. In the 30-minute film, four children of the time have their say. Professor Stephan Tanneberger, Pastor Karl-Heinz Kleve, Honorary Citizen Justin Sonder and Brigitte Speck recount their wartime experiences. Further presentations at 3.30 pm and 4 pm.
In the evening, at 6 pm, Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig will take part in the Peace Day rally under the motto "Flowers from Ruins - Trümmerfrauen und wir Kriegskinder". Other participants at Neumarkt will include Hartwig Albiro, Nancy Gibson, Mathis Stendike, the sign language choir Monael and Friends and the choir of the Chemnitz Municipal Music School.
Further information on the Chemnitz Peace Day can be found at www.chemnitz.de/friedenstag or www.chemnitzer-friedenstag.de.