From Tuesday 29 September to Thursday 1 October, the city of Chemnitz will be hosting international guests from former, current and future European Capitals of Culture (ECoC). At the knowledge transfer seminar organised by the ECoC Echo project, funded by Interreg Europe, around 50 representatives from the worlds of politics, culture, business and public administration from Chemnitz as well as Leeuwarden 2018, Novi Sad 2022, Veszprém 2023, Tartu 2024, Oulu 2026, Liepāja 2027, Évora 2027 and Bourges 2028, will come together to discuss Chemnitz’s legacy as the European Capital of Culture 2025. The conference brings together key voices and creates an international forum that connects diverse experiences, current developments and future perspectives.
The three-day conference programme combines strategic insights and discussions. In addition, participants will visit the intervention sites Stadtwirtschaft and Hartmannfabrik, as well as the Ore Mountains region, with stops in Oelsnitz and Leukersdorf. This enables them to gain an understanding of the Chemnitz 2025 legacy process. The seminar serves as a platform for analysing the transition from the title year, through the bridge year, to long-term urban and regional development.
The conference facilitates the exchange of external expertise and joint reflection on processes. The ECoC Echo Interreg Europe project thus provides financial backing for the strategic development of Chemnitz and all other project partners.
Brochure highlights achievements
As part of the programme, a press conference with Lord Mayor Sven Schulze will take place on Wednesday 30 September at 2.00 pm in the Hartmannfabrik, Fabrikstraße 11. Together with project manager Florian Hegewald, he will present the new brochure “25 Impacts of European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 “.
Also taking part in the press conference will be:
– Andrea Pier, Managing Director of Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH
– Prof. Dr. Jochen Mayerl, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Chemnitz University of Technology
– Daniel Röthig, Mayor Callenberg
The publication takes stock and presents 25 selected examples of developments during the European Capital of Culture year. It highlights the scope of the year, the associated investment and the long-term benefits for Chemnitz. It also examines how the city is perceived and the changes in the self-image of Chemnitz’s residents. The brochure is available in German and English.
Background
The ECoC Echo Interreg Europe project began in May 2025 and will run until July 2029. The aim is to maintain and further develop the momentum generated during the Capital of Culture year in the fields of culture, urban development and international cooperation beyond the title year.
Further information is available under Project ECoC Echo.