Opening

The Chemnitz 2025 review in pictures

80,000 people from Germany and abroad celebrated the opening of the Capital of Culture year together on 18 January 2025. The entire city centre of Chemnitz was filled with concerts, performances and hands-on activities by many Chemnitz residents and well-known national and international artists on three stages and numerous event areas. At the "Programme Showcase" in the Stadthalle, around 10,000 visitors had the opportunity to get to know more than 60 Capital of Culture projects. Around 2,000 participants shaped the programme on and behind the stages. 450 volunteers from Chemnitz, as well as from other cities, took part voluntarily as helpers. and helpers. Around 20,000 spectators watched the opening show on the stage around the Karl Marx Monument in the evening alone. The opening weekend was the start of an outstanding cultural year for Chemnitz. Picture: Kristin Schmidt

80,000 people from Germany and abroad celebrated the opening of the Capital of Culture year together on 18 January 2025. The entire city centre of Chemnitz was filled with concerts, performances and hands-on activities by many Chemnitz residents and well-known national and international artists on three stages and numerous event areas.

At the "Programme Showcase" in the Stadthalle, around 10,000 visitors had the opportunity to get to know more than 60 Capital of Culture projects. Around 2,000 participants shaped the programme on and behind the stages. 450 volunteers from Chemnitz, but also from other cities, volunteered to help out. Around 20,000 spectators watched the opening show on the stage around the Karl Marx Monument in the evening alone. The opening weekend was the start of an outstanding cultural year for Chemnitz.

Picture galleries

Further impressions of the opening day and the media coverage can be found here.

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Chemnitz schoolgirl Annika joined Lord Mayor Sven Schulze on the stage of Chemnitz Opera House for the ceremony Picture: Nasser Hashemi
Thousands of people celebrated at the Capital of Culture Rave - the open-air after-show party - on Neumarkt after the opening show. The party continued into the early hours in the city's various clubs. Picture: Johannes Richter
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier officially declared the Chemnitz Capital of Culture Year open. Picture: Kristin Schmidt