"Finding common ground, celebrating differences" - Intercultural Weeks in Chemnitz

From 27 September to 12 October 2014, the Intercultural Weeks will take place in Chemnitz under the motto "Finding common ground, celebrating differences". Clubs, associations, initiatives and other players in intercultural cooperation have been organising the programme together with the city of Chemnitz every year since 1991.
The opening day, 27 September, starts at 11.40 a.m. with an open parade from Tietz via the town hall to the stage on Neumarkt. At 12 noon, Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig, the Saxon Commissioner for Foreigners, Professor Dr. Martin Gillo and the City of Chemnitz Commissioner for Foreigners Etelka Kobuß will open the Intercultural Weeks in Chemnitz with welcoming speeches.

On this day, Chemnitz residents can gain insights into cultures and learn about the lives of people who have come to Chemnitz from other parts of the world. In addition to the stage programme, visitors can also expect specialities from faraway countries, continents and cultures will be introduced, the integration work of the city's clubs and associations will be presented, a football tournament will be held and there will be an opportunity for information and discussions. The opening of the Intercultural Weeks will take place for the first time in cooperation with the traditional autumn market.

A special highlight of the day will be the open-air concert "Show your voice", organised as part of the "Gesicht zeigen gegen Rechts" project. From 6 to 10 p.m., the music bands CAPTAIN CAPA, MEGA! MEGA! and STILL TREES will be playing at Neumarkt.

The Intercultural Weeks are supported by the City of Chemnitz, André Donath e. K. Turm-Brauhaus, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, the utility company eins energie in Sachsen GmbH & Co. KG, Fotolabor & Studio László Tóth and the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Sachsen e. V. Special thanks to the co-organisers: the AG In- und Ausländer e. V., the women's centre Lila Villa in the association akCente e. V., the social welfare office and the foreigners' advisory council of the city of Chemnitz.
Background information:

As of 30 June 2014, there were 10,597 foreign citizens from around 130 nations living in Chemnitz, in addition to the more than 600 asylum seekers currently housed in Chemnitz (excluding the initial reception centre of the Free State of Saxony). Even though the number of foreigners has continued to rise, the total proportion of foreigners does not even reach five per cent of the population. Personal encounters, shared experiences and dialogue are important. Only in this way will people of different cultures and religions become a natural reality in Chemnitz, one that is perceived as enriching. However, this requires opportunities for encounters. Events organised by a welcoming society, such as the Intercultural Weeks, enable people to get to know each other, which is both necessary and useful.

After the Intercultural Weeks, the theme will be continued from 3 November to 16 November 2014 with the Intercultural Film Weeks under the patronage of Claus Löser (author, film historian and specialist journalist). The event is organised by AG In- und Ausländer e.V. in cooperation with the Commissioner for Foreigners. Entertaining and challenging intercultural films for children, young people and adults are presented at CineStar Chemnitz, Weltecho and other venues. In cooperation with other partners, talks and discussions with filmmakers and protagonists will take place after selected films.

Further information on the programme of the Intercultural Weeks 2014 in Chemnitz

Contact person:
Commissioner for Foreigners Mrs Etelka Kobuß
c/o City of Chemnitz, Social Welfare Office
Annaberger Straße 93, 09120 Chemnitz
Telephone: 0371 488 5047
Fax: 0371 488 5099
E-mail: auslaenderbeauftragte@stadt-chemnitz.de