In the volunteer editorial team, Volunteers for Chemnitz 2025 publish reports on their experiences, assignments and adventures around the European Capital of Culture.
Julia has lived in Chemnitz since 2012 and has been part of the volunteer programme since February 2025 in order to make new contacts. In the process, she has got to know many different people - her interest in art and culture has been rekindled.
The colourful rooftop festival in Chemnitz got off to a somewhat bumpy and difficult start with its preparations, just like some other assignments. Uncertainties were clarified in the group chat five minutes before the start. The rest was discussed on site on the soundtrack. But after three quarters of a year, you say to yourself: "It'll work out somehow."
It was a crisp 9 degrees when I picked up my packed lunch and equipment from the former Schmidtbank at 8.30am and made my way to the primary school on the Sonnenberg. Unfortunately, the name "Sonnenberg" was no guarantee of good weather on this Saturday. While we decorated the entrance with colourful balloons and signs in the last few minutes before opening, a cool wind blew across the grounds. The whole thing took place under the watchful eyes of the police stationed there. Hopefully there won't be another reprimand. Despite the heavy rain showers, many visitors, young and old, came to the school garden. Of course, everyone knew that there was no great view of Chemnitz here. But the extensive school garden with its various beds still managed to inspire the guests.
Everyone was pleasantly surprised at how much is done for the pupils and how much they would have liked to have had such a great school garden in their youth. In the end, the final number of 159 visitors also surprised me. Thank you very much for the nice conversations.
