Chemnitz serving as the European Capital of Culture 2025, propelling regional growth and advancement

Chemnitz, Germany, has received a positive assessment from the Interministerial Working Group (IMAG) of Saxony's State Government for its successful stint as the European Capital of Culture. The city has broken new visitor records with its flagship projects, festivals, and exhibitions, and the regional tourism and hospitality sectors have seen significant increases.

The IMAG meeting, held three months before the end of the European Capital of Culture year for Chemnitz, focused on the role of Chemnitz 2025 as a driver and catalyst for future regional development. Minister President Michael Kretschmer supports the further path of Chemnitz 2025 beyond 2025 and remains a reliable partner.

Stefan Schmidtke, Managing Director of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 GmbH, stated that Chemnitz 2025 impressively shows what long-term investment in art, culture, sport, and participation achieves. The essential goals for long-term and shared development for the city and region of Chemnitz include securing and continuing outstanding projects such as the Purple Path art and sculpture trail, Makerhubs, volunteer program, and intervention areas of the city of Chemnitz.

One of the primary goals for the future is the "ENTER - Young European Capital of Culture" program, aiming to retain young people and show them a perspective for their talents in the entire region. Another goal is to expand the joint and sustainable tourist marketing of the entire region with the newly created brands of Chemnitz 2025.

By the end of October, a joint Legacy Plan outlining the intersection of common goals, areas of action, and measures should be presented to the committees for consultation and adoption by early 2026. The plan will provide a roadmap for how the success of Chemnitz 2025 can contribute to the continued positive development of the region beyond the year 2025.

The international Legacy Conference in April 2024 marked the start of Legacy planning for Chemnitz 2025 European Capital of Culture. A Saxon agency has been commissioned to develop a regional development concept with the involvement of civil society, associations, and regional institutions.

Chemnitz Mayor Sven Schulze, Callenberg Mayor Daniel Röthig, and the managing directors of Chemnitz 2025 European Capital of Culture gGmbH, Andrea Pier and Stefan Schmidtke, were also present at the IMAG meeting. The cultural capital process of the past eight years has created very good prerequisites for expanding the international profile of the city and region.

The organization founded in 2021, composed of all ministries at the State Secretary level to support the city of Chemnitz on its path to the European Capital of Culture year 2025, is the administrative and coordination body for Chemnitz 2025. Strategic goals and principal areas of action have been developed through numerous conversations, discussions, and a series of workshops.

The question now arises: what remains and how much can the success of Chemnitz 2025 European Capital of Culture contribute to the continued positive development of the region beyond the year 2025? The future development beyond 2025 was the main topic of discussion at the IMAG meeting. The answer lies in the Legacy Plan, which will guide the region's growth and development for years to come.

Chemnitz serving as the European Capital of Culture 2025, propelling regional growth and advancement