Wismut history: Large series of events in Chemnitz starting soon!

Wismut history: Large series of events in Chemnitz starting soon!

On March 12, 2025, the Wismut Network Chemnitz will start a series of events lasting several months on the history of Wismut AG. This kick-off event entitled “Glück auf” will take place at 6 p.m. in the university library of Chemnitz University of Technology, which was once the Wismut department store “Glück auf”. Loud TU Chemnitz will Dr. Rainer Karlsch will scientifically classify the trade organization Wismut, while the Fritz Theater will present scenic representations and musical excerpts from an opera premiering in September 2025 will be heard.

The Wismut Network was founded in November 2023 to make Wismut AG's legacy more visible in the region. The members include, among others, the Wismut Stiftung gGmbH, the State Museum of Archeology Chemnitz and the University Library of the TU Chemnitz. The numerous events from April to November 2025 will address aspects such as the impact of nuclear power on popular culture and the role of Soviet secret services. Details about the program will be published in mid-March 2025.

The history of Wismut AG

Between 1952 and 1957, Wismut AG was the largest uranium mining company in the world and an important industrial company in the GDR. It was founded as part of Soviet reparations demands and was under the influence of the Soviet Ministry of Defense until 1956. Uranium was in high demand in the post-war period, and Wismut AG supplied uranium ore exclusively to the Soviet Union until 1962. It was only after the fall of the Berlin Wall that the environmental damage caused by mining was fully assessed. These reports, like bpb.de explained, estimated bismuth mining as the third greatest radiation damage after Hiroshima and Chernobyl.

However, the rapid expansion of uranium mining in Saxony also led to social problems such as overcrowded accommodation and increasing pressure on doctors to minimize incapacity to work. Despite the grievances, such reports had little influence on the SED leadership, which did not improve the living conditions of the employees. The Wismut developed into a self-sufficient structure with special supplies. The GDR took responsibility for housing and social construction in the Wismut areas in order to meet the needs of the miners.

Planned exhibitions and events

In addition to the series of events in Chemnitz, Wismut GmbH and the Wismut Stiftung gGmbH invite you to the exhibition “No Secret”, which will open on May 1, 2025. The exhibition will take place in the machine house of shaft 371 near Aue-Bad Schlema and is dedicated to the history of uranium ore mining and the associated sustainable effects. The temporarily open exhibition will be open to visitors on the first weekend of every month from May to October 2025.

Particular attention is paid to addressing the challenges of remediating mining impacts. The exhibition's target groups are those interested in the subject, younger visitors and people who are little familiar with the history of bismuth. In addition, special events such as the Open Monument Day on September 14, 2025 and the finissage on October 19, 2025 are planned. Those interested can contact Wismut GmbH in Hartenstein directly for further information.