Even before the start of the actual event, the around 700 invited guests from the world of politics, business and culture - more than half of them volunteers from clubs in the city - were enthralled by the Art Nouveau architecture of the Great Hall which has been restored to its former glory.
After the musical opening of the festive ceremony by the Leipzig St. Thomas Boys’ Choir conducted by Gotthold Schwarz, Lord Mayor Burkhard Jung brought Leipzig's history and tradition back to life. With a highly personal selection of great names, events and distinctive city institutions, he linked the past with the present and outlined the rise and development of Leipzig as a major European city. During his talk on the history of Leipzig, he also mentioned the dark times at the start of the Second World War and the years of the socialist planned economy. "Over 550,000 people now live in Leipzig, and this number is increasing every day," said Jung. Spectacular new buildings and restored founder period buildings dominate the face of the new Leipzig, while every visitor to the Leipzig Lake District is extremely impressed by the change in the landscape. "But above all," emphasised Jung, "Leipzig is a people's city."
Citizens' industriousness and civic pride in Leipzig
Stanislaw Tillich, Minister-President of Saxony, said during his speech: "Public spirit, citizens' industriousness and civic pride shaped this city in the past and still do so today. Above all, Leipzig grew through trade - and with it the middle class, culture and science. The residents of Leipzig can be proud of this city and themselves. Their courage played a decisive role in the peaceful revolution."
The choice of the keynote speaker promised a very special talk for the guests. The cabaret artist Tom Pauls managed the feat of even surpassing these expectations: he captivated the audience with his entertaining and extremely amusing talk that was sprinkled with numerous anecdotes.
Following the performance by the Gewandhaus Quartet, Edwin Ilg (Gewandhaus Orchestra), Konstanze Siegemund (artist), Leonie Warnke (poetry slammer) and Dr. Annelie Wendeberg (scientist) took their place on the stage. With cabaret artist Anke Geissler acting as the charming and entertaining host, they provided their personal opinions and insights relating to Leipzig in the past and present.
Torsten Bonew, in his capacity as "Leipzig 2015" Representative rather than his official position of Financial Mayor, not only aroused the guests' curiosity about the forthcoming StadtFestSpiel with the impressive performances of "Lipsias Löwen", but also highlighted - in his opinion - the most important virtue of the residents of Leipzig, i.e. civic commitment and values. "Without civic commitment," said Bonew, "Leipzig would have developed differently." According to the "Leipzig 2015" Representative, the organisation of the anniversary year would also not have been possible without the cooperation and support of the residents of Leipzig.
As the final highlight of the festive ceremony, Lord Mayor Burkhard Jung invited architect Gerd Heise up on to the stage. They jointly handed over the symbolic key to Prof. Jörg Junhold, Director of Leipzig Zoo, the owner and builder of the CONGRESS HALL, and Martin Buhl-Wagner, Managing Director of Leipziger Messe GmbH, which will operate the ensemble in future.
Glittering cultural centre in the heart of the city
"Since 1900 the historical Congress Hall has not only formed part of the unmistakeable cityscape of Leipzig, but has also been a vital part of the personal memories of many Leipzig residents. The building boasts a chequered history including glittering periods as a cultural centre and times in which it was used as a hospital or when it was neglected. With the ceremonial act marking '1,000 Years of Leipzig' and the reopening as a congress centre, we are starting a new chapter in the tradition-steeped history of the founder period ensemble. We are proud to hand over the CONGRESS HALL at Leipzig Zoo to the city as a birthday present and therefore return it to social and economic life in the 21st century," said Prof. Dr. Jörg Junhold, Director of Leipzig Zoo.
Revival of the CONGRESS HALL as a central event venue
Martin Buhl-Wagner, Managing Director of Leipziger Messe GmbH, added: "Due to the reopening of the CONGRESS HALL at Leipzig Zoo, Leipzig's portfolio as a congress venue will be extended by a 'crown jewel" that has different uses and is equipped with state-of-the-art congress technology. Under management by the Leipzig Congress Centre, which in the last few years has played an important part in the development of Leipzig into one of the most popular national and international congress locations, it will be possible to attract other first-class events to the city in future. We are looking forward to breathing new life into the CONGRESS HALL at Leipzig Zoo."