Federal President attends the opening of the Capital of Culture

Around 700 invited guests from politics, culture, business and society are expected to attend the opening ceremony for the Capital of Culture year in Chemnitz on January 18. Among others, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister of Culture Claudia Roth (Alliance 90/Greens), Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) and the EU Commissioner for Culture Glenn Micallef have announced their attendance, according to the City of Chemnitz. The Melina Mercouri Prize, endowed with 1.5 million euros, is to be presented to the city at the ceremony.

On January 18, the European Capital of Culture year will be ushered in with a festival in Chemnitz, which is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors. In addition to the ceremony in the opera house, which will reportedly be broadcast live on MDR television, a grand opening show is planned at the Marx Monument from 7.00 pm. There will also be programs on several stages in the city centre and interested parties can find out about the Capital of Culture projects in the Stadthalle. Later in the evening, the opening day will end with parties in the city's clubs.