Foundation stone laid for Leipzig Unity Monument

To mark the 36th anniversary of the peaceful revolution, the foundation stone for the long-planned Freedom and Unity Monument will be laid tonight in Leipzig. A decentralized monument consisting of 50 white sculptures is to be erected on Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz. Five million euros have been earmarked for its realization.

The foundation stone is being laid as part of the commemoration of October 9, 1989, when at least 70,000 people gathered in Leipzig to protest against the SED regime. The demonstration, images of which were transmitted to television in West Germany, is regarded as a decisive step towards change in the GDR. Leipzig honors this every year with a festival of light.

First attempt for monument failed

The Leipzig Freedom and Unity Monument has a long history. Back in 2008, the federal government decided that Leipzig should also have such a monument alongside Berlin. Five million euros were pledged as funding. Saxony's state parliament had previously voted in favor of a memorial in Leipzig. It was supposed to be ready for the 25th anniversary of the peaceful revolution on October 9, 2014.

However, the first attempt at the memorial went badly wrong. The competition for possible designs was accompanied by months of debate about the meaning of such a memorial. This was followed by legal disputes over the design competition - and instead of a memorial being completed in 2014, the project was put on hold for the time being.

The "Banners, Flags, Banners" design prevailed

After another competition, Leipzig City Council voted in favor of erecting the monument this spring. The design "Banners, Flags, Banners" by a collective of artists and architects from Leipzig is now to be realized. In addition to the white sculptures, greenery is also planned on Leuschner-Platz to create a retreat for people and animals.

Problems with the Berlin Freedom Monument

Meanwhile, there is no happy ending in sight for the Berlin Freedom and Unity Monument. Due to the insolvency of the companies involved, it is currently unclear when it will be completed. It was actually supposed to be opened in 2019. A large walk-in steel shell is planned for the replica of the city palace in Berlin-Mitte.