European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 as a driver of regional development
Saxony's interministerial working group discusses cooperation between the city and the surrounding area - Minister President takes part in the meeting
The European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 aims to provide new impetus for both the city of Chemnitz and the surrounding area. The European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 as a driver of regional development was therefore at the centre of today's meeting of the Interministerial Working Group (IMAG) of the Saxon State Government. The meeting was attended by the Minister President of the Free State of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, the Mayor of Chemnitz, Ralph Burghart, and the Managing Directors of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 GmbH, Andrea Pier and Stefan Schmidtke.
The Saxony State Association for Cultural and Creative Industries presented the impetus that can be expected from the European Capital of Culture process for the regional cultural and creative industries. Chemnitz University of Technology, which has its own "TUCculture2025" task force, is hoping for new impetus for science and universities and the international exchange of students. In turn, the network of cities and municipalities in the region, which is working together on the success of the art trail of the same name, expects impetus to continue along the "Purple Path". The tourism location of Chemnitz and the surrounding area of the Ore Mountains are well prepared for the large number of visitors during the Capital of Culture year 2025 and also see this event as a great opportunity for the tourism industry throughout Saxony.
Minister President Michael Kretschmer said: "The locomotive of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 has visibly picked up speed. Its pulling power extends far beyond the city limits into the surrounding area and into our neighbouring countries. This requires many committed players. I see them here in Chemnitz and the surrounding area. Together with the Free State of Saxony and our neighbours in the Czech Republic and Poland, they all want to set the tone for European policy and welcome guests from many countries to our region - this can only succeed if we work together."
Mayor of Chemnitz Ralph Burghart added: "Our bid for the title of European Capital of Culture 2025 was also successful because the cultural region was actively involved. This has led to a new kind of cooperation. In this respect, the European Capital of Culture year 2025 is not the end, but a great opportunity to give the cultural region consisting of the city of Chemnitz and its neighbouring municipalities a long-term perspective. Mutual support is essential for joint success. We are therefore delighted about the comprehensive support from the federal government and the Free State, which will enable us to present the city of Chemnitz and the cultural region as European Capital of Culture 2025 in Germany and Europe."
Stefan Schmidtke, Programme Director European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 GmbH, explained: "This working group is proof of the great importance that the title of European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 has not only for the city, but also for the entire Free State of Saxony and the Federal Republic of Germany. The exchange and cooperation at the various professional and political levels as well as the extensive support we receive form a solid basis for our work on the programme for the European Capital of Culture. We are working together on a European project that is much more than just a year full of events. In partnership, we want to show the national and international public that Chemnitz provides impetus that has a long-term effect on the development of the region and sets forward-looking and sustainable standards worldwide."
Background
The Interministerial Working Group (IMAG) "Chemnitz European Capital of Culture 2025" is a committee of all ministries at the level of state secretaries who support the city of Chemnitz on its way to becoming the European Capital of Culture 2025. It is chaired by the Commissioner for the European Capital of Culture 2025, State Secretary Prof Thomas Popp. The City of Chemnitz is involved in the IMAG, as is the federal government. The projects that are being jointly driven forward include, for example, urban development and transport projects, the revitalisation of industrial monuments and the creation of creative spaces. However, projects in the areas of civic engagement, integration and the promotion of democracy are also being developed.
The IMAG was established in November 2021 and has met five times so far.