Road closures for the opening of the Capital of Culture year

For the opening ceremony of the Capital of Culture year in Chemnitz, numerous streets in the city center will be closed on January 18. In addition, the organizers have developed a security concept together with the police, the municipality and other parties involved. This was reviewed once again after the attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg in December, the city administration announced.

Multiple demonstrations announced

The authorities are also preparing for several demonstrations that have been announced for the afternoon of January 18. The police will secure these gatherings. Among others, the far-right Free Saxons are mobilizing for a demonstration against Chemnitz as a cultural capital under the slogan "This is our city".

Diversion routes will be signposted due to the road closures. Residents should drive their vehicles out of the affected areas in good time on Saturday and park elsewhere.

Federal President Steinmeier to attend opening ceremony

Around 700 invited guests from politics, culture, business and society are expected to attend the opening ceremony. 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.

The city is expecting tens of thousands of visitors to attend the opening party. In addition to the ceremony in the opera house, a big show is planned at the Karl 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.