Memory of the victims of the popular uprising: Leipzig remembers

Memory of the victims of the popular uprising: Leipzig remembers

On June 17, 2025, in Leipzig, the victims of the 1953 victims are reminded. The uprising, a decisive date in the German history of democracy, was directed against the authoritarian SED regime and its repression. On this day, more than a million people will take to the streets in over 700 cities and municipalities of the GDR to loudly hear their demands for freedom and democracy. At that time, over 40,000 people alone in Leipzig called for better living conditions and free elections. It is an eventful story that is still important for many people today.

The central commemoration will take place in Leipzig at 4 p.m. in the street of June 17, organized by the Bürger Committee Leipzig e.V. and the city of Leipzig. The celebrations include a greeting from Tobias Hollitzer, the head of the Museum memorial in the "round corner". In addition, the director of the city history museum in Leipzig will hold a commemorative speech. A contemporary witness, Christian Dertinger, will share his personal experiences of June 17, 1953, while the Leipzig brass soloists provide the musical framework.

The historical context of the popular uprising

The 1953 popular uprising was supposedly the largest wave of protests by the GDR against the communist dictatorship. He started strikes and mass demonstrations, which quickly resulted in bloody clashes. The intervention of the Soviet occupying powers, supported by the German People's Police, led to a bloody end of the protest movement. Nine people died in the Leipzig district and many more were injured or arrested. A total of at least 55 people were killed or sentenced to death, over 15,000 citizens ended up in custody.

in Leipzig, many tens of thousands passed through the city center and protested against living conditions. The use of firearms by the security forces and the state imposed illustrated the brutality of the response of the SED regime to the call for freedom.

memory and commemorate today

The commemoration on June 17, 2025 promises to be a moving homage to the victims. The celebrations will take place in a worthy framework, with a minute's silence and a floral laying. The "historical walk" will also be part of the program to remind you of relevant events. Pupils of the Immanuel-Kant-Gymnasium will be their project "What is June 17, 1953 today?" present, and the contemporary witness Thomas Reininger will speak at the plaque at 4:20 p.m.

For a broader public, a video recording of the event will be available online from 6 p.m. to bring the memory of the victims into the awareness of the younger generation. The popular uprising and its bloody course are not just historical events; They are part of Germany's collective memory and should remind us of how important the values ​​of freedom and democracy are.

Leipziginfo reports that ... Saxon memorials provides information about the ...