Merkel in Chemnitz: Entry in the Golden Book and reading from Freedom”

Merkel in Chemnitz: Entry in the Golden Book and reading from Freedom”

A very special visit was scheduled for October 24, 2023 in Chemnitz. The former Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, who served as the first woman in this office from 2005 to 2021, added another notable entry to her list of important stops in Chemnitz. In the presence of Mayor Sven Schulze, she was ceremonially entered into the city's Golden Book. This event was part of her reading trip to the European Capital of Culture 2025 and underlines the city's ongoing importance in German cultural history.

Among the guests present were Simone Kalew (Managing Director of the GGG), Dr. Ralf Schulze (CEO of C3) and Dr. Andrea Pötzsch (property manager). After registering, the politician went to a local bookstore and to the impressive Villa Esche, which was built by the well-known architect Henry van de Velde and was once the residence of the manufacturer Herbert Eugen Esche.

Reading from the autobiography

The crowning conclusion of her visit to Chemnitz was a reading from her current bestseller “Freedom – Memories 1954 – 2021”. This event took place as part of the series “Podium Villa Esche: Portraits & Contemporary History”. The large crowd led to the reading being moved to the Chemnitz town hall, where it took place on September 8, 2023 in front of a wide audience. Admission to the reading began at 6 p.m. and the event took place without a break.

Merkel spoke from the 736 pages of her autobiography, which she wrote together with Beate Baumann. In her book, she reflects on her time in the GDR and the political challenges of reunification, while also reporting on personal experiences, her youth and major turning points in her career.

Start of the reading tour and high demand

Angela Merkel's reading tour has already enjoyed an impressive sales start - 200,000 copies of her book were sold within the first week. Demand is always high for literary events, which is why tickets for the reading in the town hall were available from 35 euros. The tickets could be purchased via Eventim and at various ticket offices.

Another date on her reading tour will take the former Chancellor to the Schauspiel Frankfurt on March 17, 2025, where she will read from her autobiography again. The collaboration with the Literaturhaus promises an evening-long dialogue about important political decisions and events with international leaders.

Angela Merkel remains a formative part of German history and attracts attention with her reading tour. The interest in hearing her thoughts and experiences is evident not only in Chemnitz, but also in the numerous cities that she will visit.