2024-10-02 11:47:09
The peaceful revolution of 1989 united divided Germany. A monument to freedom and unity will be built in Leipzig next year. The winning design comes from this city.
Leipzig.
Banners, flags, banners: the winning design for the monument to freedom and unity planned in Leipzig has been presented. The competition was won by the joint design of architects and artists from Leipzig. The proposal convinced the jury with its abstract and concrete appreciation of the protest movement and the “Peaceful Revolution” of 1989, said jury president Kjetil Thorsen in Leipzig.
Starting in October 2025, for around five million euros, a monument to freedom and unity will be built on Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz in Leipzig, which will keep alive the memory of the “Peaceful Revolution” of 1989. Leipzig was the starting point of the peaceful demonstrations on Monday. On October 9, 1989, 70,000 people took to the streets of the fair city and fought for their civil rights. The planned location of the monument is next to the former demonstration route, the inner ring of the city.
Top view. Image: Jan Woitas/dpa
Top view. Image: Jan Woitas/dpa
A monument with 50 objects
50 objects distributed throughout the square, symbolizing for example flags and banners, are intended to give the viewer space for association, appropriation and participation. In the autumn of 1989, courageous people made history and it is important to keep their memory alive, Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer underlined. “The Monument to Freedom and Unity in Leipzig can contribute to this as a special place of remembrance and exchange,” said the CDU politician.
The monument represents the strength of the street and points to the future, explained Leipzig Mayor Burkhard Jung. “The peaceful revolution must continue to strengthen democracy,” said the SPD politician. 1989 proved that democracy can be achieved, shaped and preserved together, added Gesine Oltmanns of the Peaceful Revolution Foundation. “It is not only a monument to Leipzig, but is also of national importance as a place of remembrance of German democratic history.”
A total of 32 architects and artists from six countries submitted their proposals. The winning project receives a sum of 35,000 euros. (dpa)
#winning #design #Leipzig #Unity #Monument #chosen