Leipzig, Plauen and Chemnitz sign letter of intent for cooperation

The cities of Plauen, Chemnitz and Leipzig want to work closely together and support each other in the bid for the Future Centre for European Transformation and German Unity and in the organisation of the European Capital of Culture 2025. The mayors of the three cities, Steffen Zenner, Sven Schulze and Burkhard Jung, have now signed an agreement to this effect. Leipzig and Plauen had agreed in June 2022 to jointly apply for the future centre for Saxony. Chemnitz is the European Capital of Culture 2025 and preparations for the programme are currently underway.

The three city leaders share the conviction that Saxony can provide significant impetus for understanding and communicating the difficult political, social, cultural, economic and ecological transformation processes in East Germany, Central and Eastern Europe and worldwide since 1989, making it the ideal location for the Centre of the Future. This is also supported by its large regional, national and international network of partner institutions from science, culture, business and civil society. Chemnitz will be integrated into the concept of the Future Centre as a partner location. The Kaßberg Prison learning and memorial centre will be included in the concept as a historical site.

The City of Chemnitz will also develop events as part of the Capital of Culture 2025, such as the "European Garage of Transformation" and building blocks for the "European Workshop for Culture and Democracy", and incorporate them into the application and the concept of the Future Centre. In addition, the network of European Capitals of Culture will be used to approach suitable cooperation partners in Eastern Europe for the Future Centre.

Burkhard Jung, Lord Mayor of the City of Leipzig: "The close cooperation between Chemnitz, Plauen and Leipzig is fantastic, because it documents the strengths of our Saxon application: Saxony with Plauen and Leipzig is the cradle of the Peaceful Revolution and provided the impetus for the end of the SED dictatorship and German reunification. The people in our cities have shown that they can change the world and shape the future. Saxony, with the cities of Chemnitz, Leipzig and Plauen, is also a land of bright minds and a pioneer of the industrial revolution in Germany. After 1990, we had to struggle with far-reaching deindustrialisation and major social and economic upheavals and are still in the midst of a transformation of our economy, working world and environment.

Last but not least, our cities have been a centre of attraction for people from many countries and cultures and a bridge between East and West for centuries. We want to contribute this experience to the application for the Centre of the Future and the Capital of Culture 2025 programme and mutually strengthen our activities. I am convinced that we will be successful."

Steffen Zenner, Lord Mayor of the City of Plauen: "I am delighted that the Saxon cities of Chemnitz, Leipzig and Plauen are sending out a signal of cohesion. The support of the city of Chemnitz in the joint application of the cities of Leipzig and Plauen for the Future Centre for European Transformation and German Unity shows the united will to bring this important future project to Saxony, the land of origin of the Peaceful Revolution. The focus is not only on the events of the Peaceful Revolution of 1989, but also on the different cultural, economic and ecological transformation processes in these three cities, both in rural areas and in larger towns and cities. The different levels of relations with Eastern Europe can also be presented in many different ways. It goes without saying that the city of Plauen will also support and cooperate with the city of Chemnitz in the preparation and realisation of the Capital of Culture Year 2025."

Sven Schulze, Lord Mayor of the City of Chemnitz: "'C the Unseen' was the central theme of our application for the European Capital of Culture 2025, which convinced the European jury and won us the title. Seeing the unseen has a special meaning for me. This potential is not only in Chemnitz, but also in Leipzig and Plauen. It is therefore all the more important to me to support the application of these two cities for the Future Centre for European Transformation and German Unity. It is a historic event that makes the unseen - namely the people - visible. After all, it is the people who characterise a city and its coexistence. I am particularly pleased that the Kaßberg Prison learning and memorial site has been included in the application as an external location of the Future Centre. This is an unparalleled site of transformation since the 19th century - from the royal Saxon prison to the detention centre during the Nazi regime to the prison of the Soviet occupation zone and the GDR authorities. It is an indispensable part of Saxony's culture of remembrance and also contributes to making the unseen visible."