German City of Chemnitz Becomes European Capital of Culture 2025

The city of Chemnitz, located in Saxony in Eastern Germany, held large-scale two-day events to celebrate the European Capital of Culture status. This was reported by Ukrinform. 

Local residents and guests came together to honour the ideals of democracy, European unity and peaceful coexistence. The Ukrainian community also joined the celebrations by presenting a stand with delicacies in the ‘Kitchen of Nations’ section. On Saturday, music was performed by the Ukrainian vocal ensemble of the Chemnitz Municipal Music School. 

During the day, more than 60 projects of the Cultural Capital were presented as part of the ‘programme demonstration’. On Sunday, the organisers offered a panel discussion on current European issues, an open music programme, and other events.

Chemnitz, together with 38 municipalities from the regions of the Ore Mountains, Central Saxony and Zwickau, is presenting a broad cultural programme that includes 223 projects and more than 1000 events. All events will run until the end of November 2025. 

Chemnitz opened the year of the cultural capital under the motto ‘C the Unseen’. In his speech at the official ceremony, German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said: 

‘What city dares to call itself ‘unseen’? Chemnitz has dared to do so, and at the latest this year, we in Germany and Europe will realise that those who have not seen Chemnitz, who have not known it, have already missed a lot.’ 

The President called for using this year to strengthen communication, restore mutual trust and find common ground to overcome the challenges facing Germany and Europe. 

Steinmeier also recalled the city's difficult journey, which has undergone significant changes, including renaming to Karl-Marx-Stadt during the GDR and reclaiming the name Chemnitz after German reunification. He also touched on the right-wing extremist riots in 2018 that affected the city's image, calling for a recurrence of such events.

Chemnitz was chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2025 back in 2020. However, it is not the only one to receive this status: the city of Nova Gorica/Gorizia, on the border of Slovenia and Italy, also holds this title. 

This year, the tradition of European Capitals of Culture celebrates its 40th anniversary. The first city to be honoured with this title was Athens in 1985.