Chemnitz Peace Day on 5 March
81st anniversary of the bombing of the city of Chemnitz
"Building peace through reconciliation"
This year's 25th Chemnitz Peace Day looks back on a quarter of a century of peace initiatives in Chemnitz. With the motto "Staying Peaceful", the people of Chemnitz are remembering the victims of war and at the same time sending a strong signal in favour of peace, democracy and openness to the world. 5 March marks the anniversary of the bombing and destruction of Chemnitz during the Second World War.
Numerous actors from Chemnitz and the surrounding area are organising a diverse programme to mark Peace Day. Commemorative events, readings, exhibitions and prayers for peace invite people to pause, reflect on the horrors of war and realise the importance of peace in today's world.
On 5 March, hundreds of Chemnitz residents commemorated the bombing and destruction of Chemnitz on 5 March 1945 at a wide range of events and activities.
The main evening event on Neumarkt was entitled ‘Remaining Committed to Peace’ and was organised by the Chemnitz Peace Day Working Group. Reflections on peace were shared by Lord Mayor Sven Schulze, Christoph Magirius, an honorary citizen and long-standing member of the Chemnitz Peace Day Working Group, Michael Veihelmann, theological director of the Zeisigwaldkliniken Bethanien and recipient of the 2008 Chemnitz Peace Prize for providing free medical treatment to children from war and crisis zones, and Dr Christoph Dittrich, Artistic Director of the Städtische Theater Chemnitz, who have supported Peace Day from the very beginning. The artistic programme was provided by soloists from the Chemnitz Ballet under the direction of Ballet Director Sabrina Sadowska.
moreA look around the world shows us that peace cannot be taken for granted and that peace is fragile. This is precisely why this year's motto for our Chemnitz Peace Day is so apt: remain peaceable.
Pictures of the day
"F-R-I-E-D-E-N" on the Neumarkt, the central location of the Peace Day
Since the morning, Chemnitz residents have been able to formulate their wishes for peace at the peace cross on Neumarkt. The Neumarkt was the central location of the Peace Day throughout the day with numerous activity stands centred around the theme of F-R-I-E-D-E-N.
Alongside the peace banners from the youth art project ‘Aktion C’, which adorn the Town Hall and Neumarkt, participants were able to take part in information and discussion sessions organised by civil society initiatives, as well as readings, musical performances and interviews, hands-on activities for children and families, and exhibitions on democracy, diversity and the culture of remembrance. In addition, the Chemnitz Peace Day working group looked back on a quarter of a century of dedicated voluntary work with an exhibition of its own.
Peace routes through the city
Wreath-laying ceremony and memorial service at the municipal cemetery
The programme of the Chemnitz Peace Day traditionally began with the wreath-laying ceremony and commemoration at the memorial to the victims of the bombing on 5 March at the municipal cemetery. Lord Mayor Sven Schulze recalled 5 March 1945 as the "darkest day" in the city's history, but said that today Chemnitz should send out a signal of remembrance and hope.
Contemporary witness Horst Heidernätsch had experienced the bombing raids as a child in Gablenz and shared his impressions.
Alexander Dierks, President of the State Parliament, described the Federal Republic of Germany and a united Europe as the answer to the horrors of National Socialism and the Second World War.
The day began in the morning with the traditional memorial service at the municipal cemetery. Wreaths were laid at the memorial to the victims of the bombing of the city of Chemnitz. Lord Mayor Sven Schulze, President of the State Parliament Alexander Dierks and pupils from Chemnitz secondary schools commemorated the night of the bombing in Chemnitz on 5 March 1945. Contemporary witness Horst Heidernätsch had experienced the bombing raids as a child in Gablenz and shared his impressions.
Chemnitz Peace Prize awarded for the 23rd time
Initiatives and individuals honoured for their commitment
Today, the Chemnitz Peace Prize was awarded for the 23rd time in the City Council Chamber of Chemnitz City Hall. The civil society prize is awarded annually on the occasion of the Chemnitz Peace Day, the anniversary of the bombing of Chemnitz on 5 March 1945, by the citizens' association FUER CHEMNITZ e. V. and the City of Chemnitz's migration commissioner, Etelka Kobuß. The diverse jury honours individuals, organisations, projects and initiatives from Chemnitz that stand up for basic values such as tolerance, equal rights and democracy and promote peace across generations.
On the evening of 6 March, one day after the Chemnitz Peace Day, the Chemnitz Peace Prize was awarded for the 23rd time in the City Council Chamber of Chemnitz Town Hall. The civil society prize is awarded annually on the occasion of the Chemnitz Peace Day, the anniversary of the bombing of Chemnitz on 5 March 1945, by the citizens' association FUER CHEMNITZ e. V. and the City of Chemnitz's migration officer, Etelka Kobuß. The diverse jury honours individuals, organisations, projects and initiatives from Chemnitz that stand up for basic values such as tolerance, equal rights and democracy and think peace forward across generations.
The award winners:
- Iranian Home Association
- Project "Thinking differently" - ASB local association Chemnitz and surroundings e. V.
- Annelore Krauß
- Children and Youth Prize: Chemnitz Youth Forum
Suddenly war feels close again
Every year, the Chemnitz Peace Day is also the occasion for a meeting of contemporary witnesses. The survivors of 5 March 1945 share their experiences over coffee and cake. However, it is at least as valuable for schoolchildren to listen to them.
moreSpecial prize in the Mayors for Peace painting competition
This afternoon, Lord Mayor Sven Schulze presented ten-year-old Marius*, a pupil at the Chemnitz Cooperation School, with the special prize in the international painting competition organised by Mayors for Peace.
The international competition was organised in 2025 on the theme of "Peaceful Towns". Children and young people of different ages were invited to submit self-painted works of art that addressed the theme. In Chemnitz, 43 children and young people from several schools took part with creative contributions. A total of 8,079 pictures from 153 cities in 19 countries were submitted. 52 winners were honoured worldwide.
The Mayors for Peace initiative is committed to a world free of nuclear weapons and peaceful coexistence in society. Chemnitz has been a member of the initiative since 2006.
On Peace Day, Lord Mayor Sven Schulze presented ten-year-old Marius, a pupil at the Chemnitz Cooperation School, with the special prize in the international painting competition organised by Mayors for Peace. Children and young people of all ages were invited to submit works of art they had painted themselves that dealt with the topic. 8,079 pictures from 153 cities in 19 countries were submitted. 52 winners were honoured worldwide.
Peace banner at the town hall
Traditional Action C school project
Peace banner at the town hall
A week earlier, the colourful peace banners on the façade of Chemnitz Town Hall advertised Chemnitz Peace Day on 5 March.
Initiator Gerald Richter from the citizens' initiative Aktion ©: "As the Capital of Culture 2025, we were able to present our banner project comprehensively. 250 banners were hung on the school on Hartmannplatz for eight weeks and in the Hartmannfabrik until the end of the year. At the last minute, a number of schools joined the banner project to take part in the world record attempt as the largest youth art project. At the Imagine Festival on 26 June 2025, we were then able to announce the proud length of 3,601 metres of all banners and posters, far more than we had aimed for."
The banners from 2025 from the Förderzentrum Georg Götz, the Förderzentrum F.H. Pestalozzi, the Europäisches Gymnasium Waldenburg, the Oberschule am Hartmannplatz and the Unteren Luisenschule will now be presented once again at the town hall, in the Roter Turm gallery, at the opera house and in the Jakobi church.
more"We have to tell stories of peace"
Interview with Christoph Magirius
He cannot imagine his life without the topic of peace, says honorary citizen Christoph Magirius. The 89-year-old was not only an important negotiator in the Peaceful Revolution of 1989 in Chemnitz, but is also committed to the Peace Day in Chemnitz. For a quarter of a century, he has been part of the Peace Day working group, which is committed to ensuring that the horrors of war never reach Chemnitz again, and is involved in peace work with the younger generations. In this interview, Christoph Magirius explains what is particularly important to them.
He cannot imagine his life without the topic of peace, says honorary citizen Christoph Magirius. The 89-year-old was not only an important negotiator in the Peaceful Revolution of 1989 in Chemnitz, but is also committed to the Peace Day in Chemnitz. For a quarter of a century, he has been part of the Peace Day working group, which is committed to ensuring that the horrors of war never reach Chemnitz again, and is involved in peace work with the younger generations. In this interview, Christoph Magirius explains what is particularly important to them.
more
This year’s 25th Chemnitz Peace Day looked back on a quarter of a century of peace initiatives in Chemnitz. Under the motto “Remaining committed to peace”, the people of Chemnitz commemorated the victims of war whilst sending a strong message in support of peace, democracy and openness to the world. 5 March marks the anniversary of the bombing and destruction of Chemnitz during the Second World War.
Numerous participants from Chemnitz and the surrounding area helped shape the Peace Day with a varied programme. Commemorative events, readings, exhibitions and prayers for peace invited people to pause, reflect on the horrors of war and understand the importance of peace in today’s world.