Giant boots and Kiezkopf: art project revitalizes Döbeln!

Giant boots and Kiezkopf: art project revitalizes Döbeln!

On Friday evening, October 19, 2025, a very special event will take place in the Ritterstraße district of Döbeln: the autumn harmony. As part of this festive event, three new giant boots from the popular Döbelner Boots Parade will be unveiled. These boots, each a proud 2.50 meters high, are not only artistic objects, but also commemorate the 100th birthday of the original Döbelner giant boot. [DNN] reports that the first piece in the new series, the mill boot, was designed by the artist Olga Scheck and was financed by the Association of the Self-Employed Döbeln.

The history of the mills plays an important role in Döbeln: The Staupitzmühle was in operation until 1976 and has shaped the cityscape. The latest mill boot features both the mills and guild symbols of the craftsmen, giving this new creation a deeper cultural meaning. Another highlight of the new boot parade is the Kiez boot, which is dedicated to the residents of Ritterstrasse. It was designed by the artists Rasha Abu Zayed and Ralph Kapitzky and focuses on peaceful coexistence and the regular guests of the “Artherie” gallery.

Artistic diversity on Ritterstrasse

Creativity permeates Ritterstrasse, where numerous artists are active and enliven the district with events. This also happens in connection with the original Döbelner giant boot, which is located in the home of the shoemaker Ernst Schmalfuß at Ritterstrasse 31. A particularly notable artistic contribution is the artist's boot at the Heckelhaus, which was designed by four regional artists:

• Petra Mittag: verfolgt eine Verbindung von Kunst, Kultur und Natur.
• Sven Abraham: bringt Fotokunst ein, die die Zerbrechlichkeit der Welt beleuchtet.
• Claus Vejrážka: nutzt grafische Fragmente und digitale Formen.
• Thomas Hahnefeld: begeistert mit Airbrush-Techniken in Graustufen und farbigen Akzenten.

This boot reflects the “Brücke” period that shaped the famous artist Erich Heckel. Not far away, the eleventh boot stands in front of Heckel's birthplace, while the Sparkasse Döbeln financed the artist's boot and opened a permanent exhibition with Heckel's original works.

The new art project: Kiezkopf

Another exciting aspect of the autumn harmony is the new art project “Kiezkopf”. This sculpture is intended to represent a symbol of community and creativity in the Ritterstraße district. The artists Tom Handel and Martin Weimert initially present Kiezkopf as a wooden framework. The plan is for the sculpture to remain permanently in a place that invites you to linger and underlines the lively neighborhood on Ritterstrasse. [The Learning City] emphasizes that such projects promote art in public spaces and thus contribute to the cultural identity and social cohesion of a community.

Another highlight of the boot parade is the theater boot, which will be unveiled on the theater forecourt. This replica is created under the hands of Tom Handel, a talented graffiti artist from Döbeln, and will accompany the current season of the Mittelsächsisches Theater, which began on September 7, 2025. Dealer describes the theater boot as a symbol that is intended to expand horizons by opening up. A symbolic idea that brings artistic expression and the residents of all of Döbeln together.

All of these creative initiatives show how important art is in public spaces. The integration of sculptures, murals and interactive installations not only transforms neglected areas into vibrant facilities, but also promotes social dialogue and active participation of citizens in their urban environment. This multifaceted approach to urban design will become increasingly important in the future. [The Learning City] reports that collaboration between artists and community is helpful in creating a strong identity for urban spaces and establishing a deeper connection between residents.