More than just a beauty contest

Samuel Harnisch

The French metropolis of Paris was one of the first European Capitals of Culture in 1989, while Istanbul was honoured with this title in 2010. Chemnitz would also like to join the ranks of important cultural cities by 2025. Samuel Harnisch tells us what opportunities Chemnitz has and what a cultural ambassador is. At 17, the Chemnitz native is the youngest member of the five-strong team of cultural ambassadors.

How did you hear about the ambassador position?
Samuel Harnisch: When I heard that Chemnitz wanted to apply to become the Capital of Culture, my first reaction was to laugh because Chemnitz is not a classic city of culture. But then I looked more closely at the topic and realised that the whole thing is more than just a beauty contest and that it could really suit the city.

Why did you apply for it?
On the one hand, I'm very interested in Chemnitz's history and urban development. On the other hand, I thought it was good that cities that are not the classic cultural cities at first glance can also take part and even win. Then came the call for applications to become a cultural ambassador and I applied straight away. I also thought it was important for the young population to get involved and be represented.

What did you imagine the role of a cultural ambassador would be like?
To be honest, at the beginning I just thought that I would be involved in the application process. But the fact that there are also committees involved was a bit confusing at first. Over time, however, I got more and more involved. The most important thing for me was that I was able to contribute my own ideas and also communicate the whole thing to the outside world.

In March last year, the city of Chemnitz launched a call for cultural ambassadors. Creative minds who are well-connected and committed were sought to support the Programme Council and prepare the content of the bid for the title of European Capital of Culture 2025. More than 50 Chemnitz residents responded to the call and five were ultimately selected. Samuel Harnisch, who is in Year 11 at Johannes Kepler Grammar School, was one of the younger applicants. "If only experienced experts take over everything, the whole thing misses its target," emphasises the pupil. As a member of the programme council, he can present his own ideas at any time, contribute his opinion on individual points of the Capital of Culture application and discuss possible answers to the application questions. "This is the only way to make the younger population heard in the application!"

How are you contributing to the bid?
Together with the other cultural ambassadors, we develop projects and initiatives. Externally, I am primarily responsible for representing the Capital of Culture idea. For example, I was able to give my fellow students a little insight, but I have even more planned. In future, I want to get more involved in the programme council and overcome my reticence. I'm also involved in the scouts in Chemnitz and various other things and act as a multiplier for the application there.

How do people your age in Chemnitz perceive the Capital of Culture application? To what extent can they relate to it?
I'm often asked about it in my year group. But the reactions vary greatly, from "very cool" to laughter. A classmate once reacted by saying that even Frankenberg has more culture. I then simply try to enlighten people with good arguments.

Has the topic of the Capital of Culture ever been discussed at school?
Most of my year group know that we are applying because I often bring it up. They read that I am a cultural ambassador and came up to me to ask what that is. Previously, the topic didn't play a role in lessons or at school. I first heard about it myself in 2016 when I was in Wrocław (editor's note: Wrocław was the European Capital of Culture in 2016).

How do you get the younger population interested in the topic?
It's a bit difficult because the European Capital of Culture sounds a bit boring to most younger people at first. We have to go directly to schools in future, present the topic and explain why Chemnitz in particular can make it. There are already some good ideas. I also see the younger generation as my target group.

How do you rate Chemnitz's chances?
In my opinion, it is realistic for Chemnitz to become Capital of Culture 2025. It's all about the history that a city has to tell and Chemnitz has a lot to tell. From industrialisation and destruction to socialist reconstruction and the positive development since 1990, Chemnitz has a lot of interesting things to offer. It doesn't matter how many museums a city has. Chemnitz is also still relatively unknown, which makes it exciting to learn about the city.

What makes Chemnitz stand out from other candidate cities?
I think it's Chemnitz's chequered history that makes it stand out. The socialist history in particular is only recognisable so well in a few cities. Magdeburg could therefore be the strongest competitor, as it has experienced a similarly varied history to Chemnitz and is also on the right track. However, the fact that Magdeburg was a royal seat back then and is now the state capital means that Chemnitz deserves to be recognised as the European Capital of Culture 2025 even more. The surprise effect for Chemnitz would be much greater.

How does the anniversary year fit into the Capital of Culture bid?
The anniversary year can be seen as a dress rehearsal for the European Capital of Culture. The 875th anniversary celebrations are all about citizen participation and that is also the principle behind the Capital of Culture application: contribute ideas and do it yourself.

What still needs to happen in the city by 2025?
On the one hand, the cityscape should be improved somewhat, for example by revitalising empty factories and closing gaps between buildings. And secondly, the citizens should become more self-confident again. Chemnitz used to be a very self-confident city and it can become so again. There's no need to be ashamed of being from Chemnitz. More offers for young people are important, it helps them to identify more with the city. Chemnitz needs more courage!