Project development of the UNESCO Initiative

This page contains information about:

Project genesis

The Leipzig UNESCO Initiative is the consequence of the amalgamation of two projects, originally developed independently of one another, in 2007:

Tendance of the Leipzig Bach sites and of his cultural legacy. The Thomaskirche (St. Thomas's Church) with Bach's grave stands at the core of this concern; other elements of central importance include the Bach-Archiv (Bach Archive) and Bach-Museum (Bach Museum) as focal points of research and scholarship. (Initiated by R.Manertz)

Leipziger Notenspur (Leipzig Music Trail) project. The principal intention of this initiative is to bring the connection between 300 years of musical history and the authentic homes and workplaces of the principal protagonists to life and to make it visible by means of a trail. (Initiated by W.Schneider)

Project patronage

The UNESCO Initiative is supported not only by the participating composer sites but also by prominent figures in Leipzig's cultural life, for example Gewandhauskapellmeister Riccardo Chailly, Thomaskantor (Cantor of St. Thomas's) Georg Christoph Biller, Artistic and Musical Director of the Leipzig Opera Ulf Schirmer and MDR Symphony Orchestra Principal Conductor Jun Märkl.

Project prospects

The probability of success of a nomination with the authentic musical sites, connected by the Leipziger Notenspur (Leipzig Music Trail) at its core, is greater than that of a nomination focusing on any other Leipzig monument, for the following reasons:

Places of culture with a musical focus are underrepresented on the World Heritage List - the exhibition of numerous authentic domains of composers of international standing from different musical eras is only possible in Vienna and Leipzig
The universal language of music promotes interracial relations in the most positive sense. The protection of this cultural asset is, therefore, liable to meet with particular international approval

Project phases

May 2006: proposal by the initiator of the Leipziger Notenspur (Leipzig Music Trail) to the Lord Mayor and the Mayor for culture to apply for the admission to the UNESCO world heritage list with the authentic sites of the Leipziger Notenspur. The proposition is associated with the third attempt to realize the project of the Music Trail.
Since September 2007: amalgamation of the two existing Leipzig UNESCO initiatives and the formulation of the various elements for a nomination.
Autumn 2007: preliminary talks with both the German UNESCO Commission and the Delegate of the Permanent Conference of Culture Ministers of the States of the Federal Republic of Germany to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
July 2008: resolution by the City Council on the support of the UNESCO application.
Winter term 2008/09: cooperation project with the Brandenburg Technical College in Cottbus, Masters degree course "World Heritage Studies".
September 2009: presentation of the application concept to the Free State of Saxony.
October 2009: formation of a committee comprising the Leipzig UNESCO Initiative, the Department of Culture of the City of Leipzig and the participating institutions.
January 31, 2012: filing of formal application to the Free State of Saxony for the submission to the Conference of State Culture Ministers. Title of application: "Leipziger Notenspur - Sites of European Musical History".
In case of a positive vote of the Free State of Saxony and the Conference of State Culture Ministers, admission to the "Tentative List" of the Federal Republic of Germany, 2013.