Agency Report –
Tens of thousands of people gathered for a glitzy array of festivities in the eastern German city of Chemitz on Saturday as it took over the mantle of European Capital of Culture.
Under the motto “C the Unseen,” in reference to the city’s lesser-known status abroad, Chemnitz will host more than 200 projects and 1,000 events over the year.
The city, which was known as Karl Marx City in the former East Germany, has a population of around 240,000.
“With this impressive programme, Chemnitz and all 38 participating municipalities have the potential to create a cultural beacon that will be recognized throughout Europe,” said Culture Minister Claudia Roth.
Programmes were organized on several stages on Saturday, including a ceremony with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and a grand opening show at the Karl Marx Monument.
A rave was also planned at the town hall, while 120 people planned to pull a historic steam locomotive through the city to commemorate its rich industrial history.
EU Culture Commissioner Glenn Micallef said he was looking forward to a year full of celebrations showcasing the diversity, identities and values of the European Union.
Chemnitz is one of three European Capitals of Culture in 2025 alongside Nova Gorica in Slovenia and Gorizia in Italy.
It is the fourth time that a German city has held the title after West Berlin in 1988, Weimar in 1999 and Essen in 2010.
Around two million visitors are expected over the course of the year.
