Chemnitz 2025: Discover the cultural capital with new perspectives!

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Experience Chemnitz as Capital of Culture 2025 with the documentary series “Blende & Beton”. Photographer Philipp Gladsome shows the city in a new way.

Erleben Sie Chemnitz als Kulturhauptstadt 2025 mit der Doku-Serie „Blende & Beton“. Fotograf Philipp Gladsome zeigt die Stadt neu.
Experience Chemnitz as Capital of Culture 2025 with the documentary series “Blende & Beton”. Photographer Philipp Gladsome shows the city in a new way.

Chemnitz 2025: Discover the cultural capital with new perspectives!

The documentary series “Blende & Beton – Cultural Capital Chemnitz” starts on ARD Kultur on May 27, 2025. The photographer Philipp Gladsome, 36 years old, will show his hometown in a new light. The series is part of the year of celebration for Chemnitz, which will be recognized as European Capital of Culture in 2025. The city is the fourth in Germany to receive this award after Berlin, Weimar and the Ruhr area. The motto “C the Unseen” illuminates the Chemnitz music and cultural scene from different perspectives.

The first episode is entitled “The Look of the City” and includes shots on the university campus of Chemnitz University of Technology. The architectural photographer Konrad Langer from Berlin concentrates on the modern architecture of the university, focusing in particular on the Weinhold building and the central lecture hall and seminar building. The documentary format is produced by i&u TV and is accessible via the ARD media library and the ardkultur.de platform. The management lies with Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, which curates the cultural content.

Philipp Gladsome and the return to Chemnitz

Philipp Gladsome is no stranger to the German music landscape. He has well-known bands such as Kraftklub, K.I.Z. and Silbermond photographed. His return to Chemnitz marks a journey to his roots since the city returned to its historic name in 1990. As part of the series, Gladsome invites other photographers to explore the city and its diverse cultures. In the second episode, “The Sound of the City”, he will delve deeper into the music and club culture and get to know, among others, the indie pop band “Tränen” and the Chemnitz DJ Tiner.

What will be particularly exciting will be meeting the band BLOND, who are working on their new album, as well as exploring Chemnitz's nightlife together with director and photographer Jen Krause. These facets of the city document not only the artistic movements, but also the social contexts and encounters that shape Chemnitz.

Cultural capital and region

The designation of Capital of Culture brings Chemnitz into the focus of European cultural interests. Together with the Slovenian city of Nova Gorica, this award is used as a platform for cultural exchange and innovation. The Chemnitz cultural region includes numerous partner cities, including Amtberg, Annaberg-Buchholz, Aue-Bad Schlema, and many other communities that contribute to the cultural and urban diversity of the region.

In this context, the blog “Chemnitz and more” will also publish important topics on architecture, art, music, theater and more. This is intended to stimulate a broader discussion about urban developments and cultural challenges in the region. Further recommendations for blogs such as “Charli auf Axis” and “ZukunftStadt” show that interest in Chemnitz and its development extends far beyond the city limits.

Philipp Gladsome's documentary series is an exciting contribution to this important year for Chemnitz, which is characterized by the dynamics of the local cultural scene. The first episode offers a promising perspective on how cultural identity and modern architecture are closely intertwined and how these elements can unfold in the context of the Capital of Culture. The whole world is invited to experience Chemnitz in its full bloom.

Tu Chemnitz, MDR, Urban development Chemnitz