Yesterday, the city of Chemnitz, located in eastern Germany, opened its year as the European Capital of Culture. In the evening, a showcase of the main cultural year events took place on the stage in front of the Karl Marx monument in the city center. A celebratory atmosphere prevailed, with over 1000 people in traditional costumes taking part in a mountain procession that wound through the city to the music of a brass band. Mountain processions are part of the region's cultural heritage. The program included video clips and music, as well as a performance by a dance group from the Finnish city of Oulu, which will share the title of European Capital of Culture for 2026 with the Slovak city of Trenčín. The event concluded with an open-air concert, with the streets surrounding the monument turning into a dance floor. According to an announcement from the organizers yesterday, Chemnitz attracted around two million visitors during its cultural year, with nearly 2000 events held.
