Visions of Europe: Conference on the long-term effects of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025
Press conference on 12 April, 12 noon, Chemnitz project office of the Saxon State Centre for Political Education
From Wednesday to Friday, 10 to 12 April, the City of Chemnitz is hosting the "Vision of Europe: What remains of Chemnitz 2025?" conference. This marks the start of the legacy process, which aims to create a sustainable long-term plan for the cultural and social development of the city.
On Wednesday, 10 April at 6 p.m., Lord Mayor Sven Schulze will open the conference in the Carlowitz Hall of the Carlowitz Congress Centre together with Prof. Thomas Popp, State Government Commissioner for the Capital of Culture in the Saxon State Chancellery.
The public kick-off event will begin with a keynote speech by Stefanie Reichart, Head of the Department of Culture and Sport at the Ruhr Regional Association, the organiser of RUHR.2010.
Participation in the event is free of charge. Interested parties can register via the link: https://mitdenken.sachsen.de/-gG8ahS89
Stefanie Reichart will outline the process of how the last German European Capital of Culture to date has prepared its legacy and is still successfully shaping it today. This includes landmarks such as the title of "European Green Capital 2017", the "International Garden Exhibition 2027" and the organisation of "Manifesta 2026".
In its presentation, it provides numerous examples of the visible traces left behind by the European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010 and how the legacy process has successfully influenced regional development, international perception and the transformation process. The basis is the sustainability concept for the European Capital of Culture 2010 agreed at an early stage between the Ruhr Regional Association and the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia, for which Stefanie Reichart is responsible.
At that time, Essen won the title on behalf of the 53 cities in the Ruhr Regional Association. This was the first time that a region was the venue.
On the second day of the conference, experts from six European countries will work with local stakeholders in specialised workshops (not open to the public) to develop fundamental objectives and initial measures. The aim is to create a European perspective for the long-term plan, involve the various decision-makers and sensitise urban society to the topic.
The Legacy Conference marks a milestone in the European Capital of Culture 2025 process and emphasises the City of Chemnitz's goal of driving sustainable change in all areas of life. In accordance with the requirements of the European Commission, various aspects are to be taken into account, including the promotion of the cultural and creative sectors as well as long-term links with the economic and social sectors. The ten-year plan covers the period from 2026 to 2035.
On Friday 12 April at 12 noon , the first results of the conference will be presented at a press conference in the Chemnitz project office of the Saxon State Centre for Political Education, Brückenstraße 10.
Representatives of the media are cordially invited to attend.
Further information: www.chemnitz.de/chemnitz2025/
The conference is co-financed by tax funds on the basis of the budget approved by the Saxon state parliament.