90 artists in 70 locations: "Purple Path" opens in April

With the "Purple Path" art and sculpture trail, a flagship project of Chemnitz as European Capital of Culture 2025 is now about to be officially launched. According to the information provided, works by 90 artists will be presented at 70 locations in Chemnitz and 38 other municipalities in the region. Artists who work regionally and locally will be presented on an equal footing with internationally renowned names, emphasized curator Alexander Ochs. These include Tony Cragg, Rebecca Horn, Olaf Holzapfel, Leiko Ikemura, Richard Long and Sean Scully.

Discover the "Purple Path" by bus or bike

The opening is planned from April 11 to 13. In addition to a ceremony in Flöha, there will be guided bus, cycling and hiking tours along the Purple Path. More than 20 works of art have already been presented, with more to follow over the weekend. Existing works will also be integrated, such as the sculpture "Reliquie Mensch" by Michael Morgner, the Klapperbrunnen fountain by Johann Belz and Saxony's tallest work of art, the colorful Esse of the Chemnitz combined heat and power plant designed by Daniel Buren.

Along the art trail, visitors can also discover exhibitions and hands-on activities. These include the show "Entanglements. On the role of textiles in art and society" at the Kunstbahnhof Flöha and a presentation of works by photographer and musician Till Brönner in Oelsnitz/Erzgebirge.

Looking to the future - Europe's Capitals of Culture in exchange

Other highlights of the Capital of Culture program in the coming weeks include the "Aufbruch" planting festival in Chemnitz. From March 30 to April 6, hundreds of apple trees will be planted in Chemnitz and the region in the spirit of neighborly relations. For example, in the city park, in the prison and in the baroque garden of Lichtenwalde Castle.

In addition, four theaters in the region will present their tetralogy "Inside Outside Europe" together for the first time in one evening on 12 April. On April 4, representatives from around 50 former and future Capitals of Culture are expected to attend a conference to discuss the future of the European Capital of Culture project. It is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The results will later be presented to the EU Parliament.