Leipzig's impressive art: St. Nicholas' Column celebrates 25 years of peace!

Leipzig's impressive art: St. Nicholas' Column celebrates 25 years of peace!

The St. Nicholas Column in Leipzig, a striking monument, stands between the Old St. Nicholas School and the St. Nicholas Church and represents an important piece of the city's history. Inspired by the white interior of the St. Nicholas Church, the column features an elaborate design that was designed by Andreas Stötzner in the 1990s and realized in 1999 by sculptor Markus Brille. It commemorates the Monday demonstrations on October 9, 1989, which played an essential role in the Peaceful Revolution. The column is 16 meters high and has a classicist design, crowned with green palm leaves that symbolize peace and point to the origins of peaceful protests in the peace prayers. Its unveiling on October 9, 1999, the 10th anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution, took place in the presence of high-ranking dignitaries such as Chancellor Gerhard Schröder.

A metal plaque in front of the column with footprints and the words “09 October 1989” reminds us of the demonstrators and their courage. This historic site was upgraded as part of an international competition to redesign the Nikolaikirchhof, which was supported by the city of Leipzig and the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia. The competition, the basis for which was decided in 1991, was aimed at artists and architects from neighboring countries. Andreas Stötzner emerged as the winner and the total funding for the column amounted to 260,000 DM, half of which was provided by donations and the other half by public institutions. The names of all donors were recorded in a copper tube inside the column to recognize their contributions.

Art in public spaces

The St. Nicholas Column is not the only work of art that commemorates the Peaceful Revolution. Impressive graffiti was created in Leipzig-Gohlis to mark the 25th anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution. The mural “Untold Stories” was created in collaboration with the Leipzig Graffiti Association, the Federal Commissioner for Stasi Records and the Saxon Education Agency. This shows figures on a piece of grass working on a peeling wall and illustrates the diverse stories surrounding the change.

Another important work of art is the “Madonna with Child” by the street art pioneer Blek le Rat, which was created in the southern suburbs in 1991 and was rediscovered in 2012. The work is now one of the few graffiti works in Germany under monument protection and contributes to Leipzig's urban art landscape.

Peace reminder in St. Thomas Church

The “Peace Window” by David Schnell in St. Thomas Church complements the art scene with its symbolism of peace. The designs for the window have existed since 1998 and funding was secured in 2006. The window is designed as a counterpoint to a war memorial window and reflects the peaceful demonstrations that took place in the fall of 1989. It consists of red and green areas that symbolize a connection to nature.

Another work of art that is reminiscent of Leipzig's eventful history are the figure reliefs in the Messehofpassage. This relief column shows four working people and is an example of socialist realism, which reflects the social coexistence of the time.

In addition, a mural was created for the comic artist Ralph Niese in the west of Leipzig. Niese, known for his lively style, died in 2020. The mural, which has existed since 2022, was designed by 24 Leipzig artists and honors the city's vibrant comic culture.

The works of art in Leipzig are not only an expression of creativity, but also essential components of collective memory. They preserve and honor the stories that shape the city's essence and are a reminder of the profound changes that society has experienced in recent decades. These initiatives help to consolidate Leipzig as a vibrant place for art and a symbol of change and peace.