In 2026, the traditional candles' podium in the shape of the number 89 will stand by St Thomas’ Church, at the corner of Klostergasse. Candles' podium '89 offers a quiet moment of remembrance, as well as an opportunity for conversation. Host Nils Straatmann enters into dialogue with contemporary witnesses . The discussions will cover, among other things, the much-debated question of “stay or leave?” in the autumn of ’89, hopes and fears, the significance of the 9ᵗʰ of October then and now, and topics such as media freedom, the environment and the Church.
The contemporary witnesses discussions are held in cooperation with Frauenkultur e. V. Leipzig, the Leipzig branch of the Polish Institute Berlin, Civil Movement Archive Leipzig, Stiftung Friedliche Revolution, St Nicholas’ Church Leipzig, Bildungswerk Sachsen der Deutschen Gesellschaft e. V., and representatives of the civil rights movement.
Host: Nils Straatmann, born in 1989, lives in Leipzig. He is a poetry slammer and author who hosts radio programmes and podcasts.