May 29th 2015: Commemoration and official opening of the KONGRESSHALLE at the Zoo followed by a civic celebration
On May 29th 2015, at 11 am, the anniversary of the first documented mention of Leipzig will be formally commemorated, and the opening ceremony of the KONGRESSHALLE will be held at Leipzig Zoo. The commemorative speech from Saxon cabaret performer Tom Pauls will be accompanied musically and artistically by the St. Thomas Boys' Choir of Leipzig, the Gewandhaus String Quartet, and the Leipzig Ballet. 700 guests from the world of politics, business, and the arts have been invited.
The Congress Center Leipzig (CCL), a subsidiary of the Leipziger Messe GmbH, will in the future be responsible for the ensemble. Since the renovations began on September 29th 2010, the team at Zoo Leipzig have been working at the reconstruction for four years. It will be officially opened as a congress centre and convention centre on January 1st 2016. But already in autumn 2015 the first events will be held as part of a pre-opening phase. The KONGRESSHALLE has 15 rooms and halls of diverse architectural styles and sizes available for audiences of from 10 to 1,200. There is also an exhibition area - the Expo - with 800 square metres of floor space.
Lord Mayor Burkhard Jung says: "With this re-opening of the KONGRESSHALLE we are creating a commercial and cultural centre right in the middle of the city, but also we are giving back a crucial space for their personal lives to many Leipzig citizens.
Civic celebration on the KONGRESSHALLE open-door day
To allow the KONGRESSHALLE to be experienced in all its new glory by the people of Leipzig, a civic celebration will be held after the ceremonial opening, from 2 pm onward. On the partially-closed Pfaffendorfer Straße - the trams are still running to schedule - visitors can attend an entertaining stage programme in front of the KONGRESSHALLE from 2 pm to 8 pm. Lots of information is also available and visitors can sample culinary delights.
From 2:30 pm the doors of the historical ensemble are open, so that all in Leipzig can experience the unique atmosphere of the KONGRESSHALLE at the Zoo, indulge in memories, and discover what's new.
May 30th 2015: The theatre production "StadtFestSpiel - Lipsias Löwen" will transform Leipzig to a stage
On Saturday, May 30th 2015, the theatre production "StadtFestSpiel - Lipsias Löwen" will bring Leipzig's history, present, and future to the city streets with great emotional vividness. Six sculptures with lion paws - the lion is the heraldic emblem of Leipzig - embody the six great themes of the city: commerce & trade, art & culture, science & education, books & media, sport & environment, citizenship & values.
The five larger-than-life "lions" are hidden beneath drapes at five locations, and are awaiting the wake-up call on the morning of May 30th.
- in Stuttgart Allee in Grünau - the sculpture "Art & Culture"
- in Bretschneiderpark in Eutritzsch/Gohlis - the sculpture "Commerce & Trade"
- in Mariannenpark in Schönefeld - the sculpture "Science & Education"
- on Heinrich-Schütz-Platz in the southern suburbs - the sculpture "Books & Media"
- in Clara-Zetkin-Park in the city centre - the sculpture "Sport & Environment"
All Leipzig residents and visitors are invited to bring along a picnic basket and start the day together with a long relaxing breakfast. Additional food and drinks are also available.
At 12 noon the "lions" are uncovered and brought to life. Actors will present performances with or around the sculptures which illustrate each theme in diverse ways. The music of Bach, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Wagner, Lortzing, Grieg and Eisler will be played.
At 2 pm the lions will set off towards the city centre. Actors, dancers, musicians, and acrobats will accompany the six-metre tall mobile sculptures. Passersby and onlookers can join in the parade. Along the way, the sculptures will stop at buildings and places of significance, and accept wishes and visions.
The "lions" and their followers will gather on Augustusplatz at about 9:30 pm at Lipsia. The sixth figure represents the theme of "Citizenship & Values". The evening will end with a spectacular finale accompanied by music and fireworks.
"This plan captivated me from the very beginning. It unites the whole city and various clubs and initiatives, but also involves the residents themselves. It is also an original approach which I have never seen before. I'm looking forward to this day when the history of our city is told to us in a cogent manner, to simultaneously amaze and entertain us - for sure it will be an unforgettable experience" says Lord Mayor Bonew in anticipation.
There will also be another good cause for celebration on this May 30th 2015: LVB buses and trams will be free for all Leipzig residents and visitors to the city.
May 31st to June 5th 2015: "StadtFestTage" civic festival days with changing themes
In addition to the StadtFestSpiel, the StadtFestTage civic festival days "1,000 years of Leipzig" from May 31st to June 7th mark a highlight of the festivities in this anniversary year.
From Sunday the programme features various awareness days taking place at the market place in front of the Old Town Hall:
- The day of May 31st, organised in cooperation with the LVV, is based around the theme of public utility supplies.
- International Children's Day on June 1st will naturally be close to the hearts of the smaller citizens of Leipzig, and will offer numerous join-in activities for our young citizens and visitors.
- Tuesday June 2nd, the city's athletes and sports stars will fill the market with life.
- On Wednesday June 3rd, the focus will be on all those involved in voluntary work.
- Leipzig's colleges will transform the market place to a public lecture hall on June 4th.
- Following that, craftsmen and craftswomen will demonstrate their skills on June 5th.
The festival week finishes off with the traditional Leipzig City Festival. And so from June 5th to 7th the city centre is transformed to a colourful boulevard. Each year this event dazzles and entertains over 250,000 visitors.
More information
More events during the anniversary year and more information can be found on our website Anniversary "1,000 years of Leipzig" (in German).