The Peaceful Revolution Historic Sites in and Around Leipzig

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Leipzig The Peaceful Revolution Historic sites in and around Leipzig

St. Nicholas Church and St. Nicholas Column The beginning of the end

“Wir sind das Volk” (We are the people) – this protest song from Leip- zig’s Monday demonstrations represents, like no other, the energy and desire for change that rose up from the streets in autumn 1989. Many GDR citizens had already shown how unhappy they were with the liv- ing conditions under the GDR dictatorship earlier that summer, when tens of thousands fled to West Germany via Hungary. They were pre- pared to leave almost everything behind to start a new life of freedom in the West. But not all of those who felt constrained and controlled by the state wanted to leave their homes. Encouraged by the Solidarity trade union in Poland, by civil movements throughout central eastern Europe and even by Gorbachev’s perestroika (reformation) movement, many began to hope that the GDR could also be reformed and become more democratic. These included a group of citizens who came to St. Nicholas Church in Leipzig every Monday at 5 p.m. to pray for peace. These prayer sessions were started by the city’s youth pastor Wolf- gang Gröger, the pastor of St. Nicholas Church Christian Führer, the pastor of St. Luke’s Church Christoph Wonneberger and deacon Günther Johannsen. The sessions took place every week starting in 1982. They not only offered a place for believers to discuss their dissatisfaction with the GDR leadership, but also for dissenters, civil rights activists and opposition supporters from outside of the evan- gelical church.

“For an open country with free people” On Monday, 4 September 1989, after the first prayer session following the summer break, the first Monday demonstration was held. Despite the presence of the People’s Police and the Stasi secret police, over 1,000 people gathered at the St. Nicholas churchyard to demand their freedom. Signs were held high, and two young civil rights activists unrolled a banner bearing the phrase “Für ein offenes Land mit freien A Sites of the Peaceful Revolution

The residents of Leipzig played a key role in the Peaceful Revolution. Explore the most important sites in and around Leipzig where history was written in autumn ’89. Many monuments and museums com- memorate this defining period:

A St. Nicholas Church and the Pillar of Peace This 850 year old church was the venue for the Monday peace prayers and the Monday demonstrations. The classical church column on St. Nicholas churchyard stands symbolically for all those who partici- pated in the prayers for peace in autumn ’89. The artist Andreas Stötzner came up with the idea for the monument, which was later designed and created by sculptor Markus Gläser. He also designed the bronze plate embedded into the plaster. The footprints lead to Augustusplatz and symbolise the demonstrations on Leipzig’s inner ring road.

B Light installation on St. Nicholas churchyard The light installation “public light – öffentliches Licht” by the artist Tilo Schulz is a metaphor for the active will of the people of Leipzig. The “plaster stones” by night represent the process of political awareness increasing in the city. E Leipzig School Museum – School History Workshop The museum houses a wide range of exhibitions over two floors, dealing with the history of Leipzig’s schools. The workshops and events provide a unique insight into schools under the Communist dictatorship in East Ger- many, including the chance to experience a lesson at a polytechnic sec- ondary school in the GDR. Goerdelerring 20, Opening times: E Mon 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tue – Fri 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. or by arrangement www.schulmuseum-leipzig.de

F Leipzig Forum of Contemporary History This exhibition, documentation and information centre explores the history of the SED dictatorship and resistance in the Soviet-occupied F zone and the GDR. The permanent exhibition is currently being redesigned and will re-open at the start of November. However, temporary exhibitions are open and events take place continuously. Grimmaische Straße 6, Opening times: Tue – Fri 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat/Sun 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., www.hdg.de

G Leipzig Archive for the Citizen’s Movement The permanent exhibition, “Bürger auf dem Weg” (Citizens on the Move), documents the events in Leipzig from the first high-profile protest on 15 January 1989 to the decisive demonstration on 9 October 1989. The important Archive records the history of the opposition and hosts regular events. Haus der Demokratie (House of Democracy), Bernhard-Göring-Straße 152 Opening times: Tue – Fri 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. www.archiv-buergerbewegung.de

Autumn ’89 in Leipzig

4 September 11 September

First Monday demonstration on Over 1,000 visitors to the prayer St. Nicholas churchyard during sessions demonstrate on St. Nicholas the Leipzig autumn trade fair. churchyard. Many of those arrested 1,000 people participate. West by the police and Stasi in ’89 are German media broadcast the sentenced to months in prison events. following a summary trial. F

H Former central place of execution for the GDR Executions took place in a closed-off area of the penal institution on Alfred-Kästner- Straße from 1960 onwards. All prisoners sentenced to death in the country – 64 in total – were executed here in complete secrecy. The death penalty was not abol- ished in the GDR until 1987. Arndtstraße 48, phone: +49 (0)341 9612443 Tours: annually on Museum Night and on the Day of Open Memorials I www.runde-ecke-leipzig.de

I Stasi Bunker Museum, Machern This is the site of the former emergency command centre built for the head of the local Stasi administration in Leipzig. It was disguised as a holiday complex. At the heart of the 5.2 hectare site is the bunker, which was erected between 1968 and 1972. In case of mobilisiation, the head of Leipzig’s local Stasi administration and approximately 100 employees would have moved their offices to Machern outside Leipzig. Lübschützer Teiche, 04827 Machern Opening times: on the last weekend of every month, with frequent tours from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Guided tours for groups available on request www.runde-ecke-leipzig.de

22 September

Erich Honecker, back at work after a long illness, writes to the local leaders of the SED, telling them that these “hostile actions” are to be nipped in the bud and not to spread. He also states that the “organisers of the counter-revolutionary actions” must be isolated. Wettin-

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st raße r. t T hs enst k 25 September Gloc Friedric Stephan- Over 5,000 people take part in the Monday demonstration. Beside reforms, they also demand that the New Forum political movement be recognised. The Interior Ministry had declined their registration that same day. The protesters march along parts of the Leipzig inner ring road for the first time. The police do not initially intervene. However, they later arrest six people.

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r. Platz of the Citizens’ Committee of Leipzig: alstraße st www.herbst89.de raße r. t T hs enst k 2 October 7 October Gloc Friedric Stephan- Largest protest in the GDR since the national While the SED celebrates the 40th anni- uprising of 1953: over 20,000 people march versary of the GDR in Berlin, protests are on the Leipzig inner ring road, chanting held across the country. This includes “Gorbi, Gorbi” and “We are staying here”. Leipzig, where around 5,000 people The police finally intervene with special take to the streets. Over 200 people are equipment. There are injuries and arrests. arrested on this Saturday alone.

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i c edric g K Goethestraße masg. G events of that day. One of the highlights of the “Day of the Peaceful Tho rimma Revolution” is the now traditional “Speech on Democracy”, which is i Georgiring Thomas- sche S h- Ebe tr. given each year by high-ranking politicians, ambassadors and authors Universitäts- Demokratie- from Germany and abroad. At 5 p.m., the bells at St. Nicholas Church, Max- glocke t Campus- West- the spiritual home of the celebrations, ring to call people to pray for platz kirchhof Augustus- Gewandg Grimm. peace. Later in the evening, the Festival of Lights begins. Gust Burgst . Augustusplatz platz Ditt- ri Sporerg. St tersstraße ei rt nwe K Leipzig Festival of Lights – emotional moments for 30th anniversary

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- n- c gazing. tion, turning the Festival of Lights into a major event which will be held tsstra h s- Ma tä Burg- loß Peter i around the entire inner ring road. Where around 70,000 people once P g. rchh. Moritzbastei au platz ki e demonstrated in support of peace and democracy in 1989, international l-G r. str. str. straß erh St er Schiller artists will give their own perspectives on historical events and link ard Lott Mendelssohn- t-W Univers eg z Haus them to a contemporary context. As they move around the 3.6-kilometre t ring, visitors will witness spectacular light and video installations, and pla Simon-Dubnow-I Johanna- Roß nstitutfind a whole host of music, dance and other performances to experi- M.-Luther-Ring ence and explore. Thousands of people are expected to visit the Festival park of Lights in 2019. It will give you the chance to experience art and his- St. Trinitatis W.-Leuschner- tory in an authentic setting, and the opportunity to talk to each other and share memories. It is sure to be an emotional evening. r. Platz alstraße

st raße www.lichtfest.leipziger-freiheit.de r. t T hs enst k 9 October Gloc Friedric Stephan- The decisive day: The Monday demonstration is held, with over 70,000 people taking to the Leipzig inner ring road. Their messages: “We are the people” and “No violence”. Despite having almost 4,000 armed police officers and task force members, the Stasi, 1,500 soldiers from the National People’s Army in reserve and 5,000 comrades loyal to the regime on the ground, the state capitulates. It is the beginning of the end of the GDR.

Semmelweis- brücke Walking tours and bus tours

Independent walking tour – “Sites of the PeacefulDies isRevolution”t ein Flyer Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam Rundgang This signposted routevoluptua. A t throughvero eos et accusam et j ustheto duo city was installed dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsu dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod by the Citizens’ Committeetempor invidunt ut labore etof dolore mLeipzig.agna aliquyam erat, se dIt diam guides voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum visitorsRundg aton g20 sites associated withdolor sitthe amet. fight for democracy of

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam 1989/90. Photos and texts in Germannonumy eirmod tandempor invid unEnglisht ut labore et dolore m ahighlightgna aliquyam the erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est _Verwendung des Icon immer in Verbidnung mit „Rundgang“ Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur umanynd seinen Ent spfacetsrechungen of the Peaceful Revolutionsadipscing elitr, se d (seediam nonumy emap).irmod tempor inv idAnunt ut la boaudiore guide et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, _Farben: no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. available 89 - #e 6in4400 eight different languages and an app – “Leipzig ’89 Leipzig - #000000 (schwarz) oder #2f2f2f Rundgang” Rundgang - #ffffff (w e(Leipzigiß) ’89 Tour) will guide you along the route and provide additional information. www.runde-ecke-leipzig.de

Independent walking tour – “MDR journey through time” Use your smartphone or tablet to travel back in time to the GDR! Short films and photos show you what Leipzig looked like at the time, how people lived their lives, andCit ywhere Tour theyS demonstratedtadsrondrit in 1989.Giro The “MDR journeyRonda through Tour time” tour is available on the web and as an app (in German). www.mdr.de/zeitreise

“ZEITFENSTER. Peaceful Revolution Leipzig” app The app takes users on a journey back through time to the upheaval of 1989. There are 25 “windows on time” where you can download photographs from different years but showing the same location to your smartphone or tablet. Comparing these with the current view from the same angle allows different eras to mingle with each other and gives a tangible sense of the changes that have occurred over time. Further information at: www.zeitfenster.uni-leipzig.de

Walking tour – “Auf den Spuren der Friedlichen Revolution” This tour brings history to life at the sites where the events them- selves took place. A unique, unforgettable experience for visitors to Leipzig (in German). Start: Main entrance to St. Nicholas Church. (When: every Saturday at 2 p.m., and on request for groups) Organiser: Bürgerkomitee Leipzig e. V. (Citizens’ Committee of Leip- zig) For more information, please visit: www.runde-ecke-leipzig.de

Walking city tour – “Peaceful Revolution – Autumn ’89 in Leipzig” This tour focuses on key places associated with the revolution in autumn 1989, including St. Nicholas Church, Augustusplatz and the Stasi administration building. Start: Tourist Information, Katharinen- straße 8. Organiser: Leipzig Erleben GmbH. For times and other information, please visit: www.leipzig-erleben.com

Video bus tour “Monday: Revolution! The End of the GDR” This tour in pictures guides you through the history of Leipzig from 1945 to 1990, exploring everyday life in a GDR city. Start: Museum in the “Round Corner”, Dittrichring 24. Organiser: Videobustour For times and other information, please visit: www.videobustour.de D

C Memorial Museum in the “Round Corner” In the building that was the headquarters of the Leipzig Stasi administration for 40 years, is nowadays a museum. The permanent exhibition by the Citizens’ Committee of Leipzig, “Stasi – Power and Banality”, explores the history, structure and methods of the GDR’s secret police. The collection includes around 40,000 objects related to the history of the Stasi. Featuring original leaflets, photos of the demonstrations and posters, the special exhibition “Leipzig on the Road to Peaceful Revolution” also commemorates 45 years of opposition and political resistance in Leipzig, as well as the over- throw of the GDR dictatorship in 1989. In front of the “Round Corner”, as it was known, is a colourful piece of the Berlin Wall. Dittrichring 24, Opening times: Mon – Sun 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., tours (min. 5 people): daily at 3 p.m., tours for groups on request, audio guides in eight languages, www.runde-ecke-leipzig.de

D BStU, Leipzig branch The permanent and special exhibitions at this historical site explore the manipulation and tracking methods used by the GDR’s secret police, and how they monitored almost every aspect of people’s lives. The Stasi’s files can be viewed here under the terms of the Stasi documentation law. Federal Commission for the Records of the State Security Service of the Former German Democratic Republic (BStU) / Leipzig branch, Dittrichring 24, Opening times: Mon – Fri 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat/Sun/Public holidays: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (exhibitions and appli- cations), www.bstu.bund.de A

Menschen” (For an open country with free people). This was quickly and brutally torn away from them by the Stasi, which led to chants of “Stasi raus” (Stasi out) from the demonstrators. There were no arrests, presumably because this was all taking place in front of West German journalists who had come to Leipzig for the trade fair. One week later, the state reacted severely. The decisive day Leipzig, 9 October 1989: The atmosphere is heated. While civil rights activists and theologians remind the crowd to protest peacefully, the government’s representatives openly threaten violence. They want to finally put an end to the situation in Leipzig. After the prayers for peace, the people form the largest mass demonstration yet. Well over 70,000 people march from what is now Augustusplatz to the city’s inner ring road. Some have candles in their hands, many are chanting “We are the people”. But they all have one thing in common – fear. This is because the People’s Police, Stasi and armed task forces have moved into position. “No violence”, people cry, again and again. But the feared violent encounter with the Stasi never comes to fruition, not even when the demonstration passes the “Runde Ecke” (Round Corner), the headquarters of the Stasi administration.

Freedom as a driving force 9 October went down in history as the decisive day of the Peaceful Revolution. It made the fall of the Berlin Wall possible, and with it the past years of rapid development in the city of Leipzig. Today, people are drawn to Leipzig not just for its lively inner city with unique passages and renovated Gründerzeit (late 19th century architecture) quarter. The city is also well-known throughout the world as an international trade fair and conference venue, and a centre for art and music. Travel Offer

Leipzig – In the footsteps of the Peaceful Revolution

Includes: 2 nights incl. breakfast in a 4 star hotel in the city centre Participation in the public walking tour (bilingual German/ English, duration 1 hour 30 minutes) on the second day of your visit (1 pm, starts at Tourist Information) Audio guide (in eight languages) for an individual visit to the Stasi Museum in the “Runde Ecke” (subject to availability) Book “Leipzig 1989: A Chronicle” in each room Tourist street map in each room

Group bookings available!

Price p. p. in DR from Single room supplement € 149.00 from € 60.00 The public walking tour is offered from April to September. Bookings between October and March: price reduction of € 10.00 p. p. Valid throughout the year from Friday to Sunday. This offer is subject to availability. Register at least four weeks prior to arrival date. Prices and services are subject to change in 2019.

Booking and information through: Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH, Augustusplatz 9, D-04109 Leipzig Phone +49 (0)341 7104-275 Fax +49 (0)341 7104-251 [email protected] www.leipzig.travel

Currently certified as accessible – detailed information available at: Funded with financial support from the government of the www.sachsen-barrierefrei.de Free State of Saxony.

Imprint Published by: Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH Designed an produced by: Heimrich & Hannot GmbH Printed by: Löhnert Druck Photos: fotolia.com/FSEID (Titel); Waltraud Grubitzsch, PUNCTUM/Szyska, Andreas Schmidt, Schulmuseum Leipzig, PUNCTUM/Bertram Kober, TMGS, Westend Public Relations GmbH/Grundmann Map: fenchelino design, Gaby Kirchhof Press date: 31/07/2018; Subject to change.