© ABL/Martin Jehnichen

Ten large-format photographic images from 1989 can be seen along a section of Grimmaische Strasse. The historical photographs come from the Archiv Bürgerbewegung Leipzig and depict situations, people and moments from the time of the Peaceful Revolution.

The images are displayed on construction fence banners, creating a walk-through photographic exhibition in the urban space. Each image features an archival photograph and texts in German and English: a caption explains the situation depicted, while an additional commentary places it in context from today’s perspective.

The photographs were selected and annotated by pupils taking the advanced history course at the Gerda-Taro-Schule as part of an archive education workshop. Their contributions link the events of 1989 with questions of the present: What do freedom, democratic participation and social cohesion mean today? What inspiration can the experiences of the Peaceful Revolution offer in addressing current challenges?

For licensing reasons, the archival images cannot be displayed on this page. A description, caption and accompanying commentary are therefore provided below for each photographic image. This makes the content accessible even if the texts on the construction fence banners cannot be viewed on site.

Alternative description:

Black-and-white photograph of a large crowd on the meadow at Petersstraße. Many people are sitting close together on the ground, while others are standing behind them. Multi-storey historic buildings can be seen in the background. Some people are holding light-coloured balloons or placards.

Caption:

Musicians and audience members peacefully gathered on the grass at Petersstraße during the street music festival on June 10, 1989. Over the course of the day, 84 participants were arrested.

Comment:

I find it remarkable that all these people came together to make music or simply to listen. And all this despite knowing that gatherings of any kind could become dangerous or already were. Among other things, I find it admirable how people organized this street music festival back then – without social media, using only flyers and posters. This is an important part of Leipzig’s history. And I wish there would be more events like this in the future. And who knows, perhaps without this festival, everything might have turned out differently?!

Elin (15), pupil

Alternative description:

Black-and-white photograph of a demonstration in front of dense trees. A large group of people are holding a net made of cords and strips of fabric above their heads. In the background, a hand-painted banner bearing the word “Democracy” and a drawing of a map of Germany can be seen. Several participants are making the victory sign.

Caption:

Demonstration by Leipzig civil rights activists and participants in the Protestant Church Congress of Saxony on Karl-Tauchnitz-Straße on July 9, 1989.

Comment:

To me, this photo shows a very unusual demonstration, but also a very strong sense of community. I admire the courage of the people and the fact that, despite the problems in their own country, they stood up for others and showed solidarity. Freedom is indivisible, which is why we must stand up for it everywhere in the world. I hope we keep this in mind: together we are stronger – both on a personal and an international level.

Amelie (17), pupil

Alternative description:

Black-and-white photograph of a confrontation in Ritterstraße in Leipzig. Several men, including State Security employees, are restraining a demonstrator who has fallen to the ground on the pavement. Bystanders observe the situation; a car fitted with a loudspeaker system is visible in the background. Tall residential and commercial buildings line the street.

Caption:

Demonstrators and employees of the State Security Service struggle over a banner during the first Monday Demonstration on Ritterstraße on September 4, 1989.

Comment:

What shocks me is that, at first glance, it is not clear in this image who belongs to the demonstrators and who belongs to the Stasi. This means the people at the demonstrations were probably under intense pressure the entire time. I am impressed that the demonstrators were able to remain peaceful despite this pressure. I hope that in the future, we will be able to demonstrate without fear and violence too. Our world needs more peaceful exchange.

Elena (17), pupil

Alternative description:

Black-and-white photograph of a demonstration in St Nicholas’ Church courtyard. Two women are holding a large, hand-painted banner bearing the words: “For an open country with free people”. A group of demonstrators follows behind them; more people stand at the side, watching the procession. St Nicholas’ Church, historic buildings and a modern office building can be seen in the background.

Caption:

Civil rights activists Gesine Oltmanns (left) and Katrin Hattenhauer (right) hold a banner on Nikolaikirchhof on September 4, 1989. Shortly afterwards, employees of the State Security (Stasi) will tear it down.

Comment:

I am impressed by the courage of the demonstrators who gathered there peacefully. Despite the danger posed by the Stasi, the women held up a protest banner with demands written on it. Today, I wish we had more of this courage again to draw attention to injustices, even when people are afraid of police violence or counterdemonstrators.

Jan (15), pupil

Alternative description:

Black-and-white photograph of a tightly packed, smiling crowd. In the centre, a child is sitting on a man’s shoulders and making the victory sign. Many people in the background are also raising two fingers as a symbol of peace and freedom.

Caption:

Participants in the first Monday Demonstration on Nikolaikirchhof on September 4, 1989. Unlike on the following Mondays, no arrests were made, as Western press was present in the city during the trade fair.

Comment:

This image shows the peacefulness of the entire protest, as well as people’s desire for peace and freedom, regardless of whether they were young or old. In contrast to German society today, one can see unity among a large part of the population and a shared will. That is something I would like to see again.

Tristan (17), pupil

Alternative description:

Black-and-white photograph of a window decorated with flowers. A handwritten poster hangs between metal bars, bearing the demand: “We do not want dialogue with those who beat up and imprison our friends. We want our friends back with us. Only then will we talk. For free people in a free country.” White paper stars are attached beneath the poster.

Caption:

A message of solidarity with those arrested on September 11, displayed in a window of Leipzig’s St. Nicholas Church on September 18, 1989.

Comment:

I find this photo very personal and moving. I am impressed that people dared to publicly stand by their friends despite the impending consequences. The people in Leipzig at that time showed courage and took personal risks for their demands. The image also shows the sense of solidarity among people, as the authors of the sign refer to the demonstrators as ›friends.‹ I wish there were more of this kind of solidarity again today.

Markus (42), teacher

Alternative description:

Black-and-white photograph taken from an elevated perspective, looking across St Nicholas Church Square in Leipzig city centre. A police cordon blocks off a street, Schuhmachergässchen; groups of people are standing in front of it and in the square. Two small, mobile guard huts stand in the square. The Specks Hof building can be seen in the background, while the façade of St Nicholas Church extends into the image on the left.

Caption:

A police cordon seals off Leipzig’s Nikolaikirchhof at the corner of Nikolaistraße and Schuhmachergäßchen after the Prayer for Peace on September 18, 1989. One week earlier, 89 people had been arrested; on this Monday, 31 participants were arrested.

Comment:

To me, this image shows the prevailing division within the GDR through the gap between the state and the people. Despite this unsettling atmosphere, the people stay and show courage and solidarity in standing up for their demands and rights. They risk their freedom and safety, thereby setting a powerful example of standing up for democracy. I hope that, especially today, we defend our values, even if we may risk a lot.

Tobias (17), pupil

Alternative description:

Black-and-white photograph of an evening demonstration. Two people are holding a large handwritten placard which reads: “Equal educational opportunities for every child”. In front of the crowd, a woman in a light-coloured jacket is walking beside a small child. Fallen leaves are scattered on the ground.

Caption:

Monday Demonstration on Leipzig’s inner city ring road on October 30, 1989.

Comment:

I still find this image very relevant today, because even in 2026 this goal has not yet been achieved. Nevertheless, we are working on it, and I hope that we will soon be able to fully realize this goal, including children and young people who face disadvantages or have physical disabilities. Education is not a privilege, but the foundation for a fair future for all children.

Anais (15), pupil

Alternative description:

Black-and-white photograph of a young man tending to an injured demonstrator. He is using a cloth to dab blood from his face. Buses and a few passers-by can be seen in the background on Karl-Marx-Platz (now Augustusplatz).

Caption:

Injured demonstrator on the sidelines of a protest marking the 40th anniversary of the GDR on Karl-Marx-Platz, now Augustusplatz, on October 7, 1989.

Comment:

The image shows how ruthlessly and brutally the demonstrators were treated. Although we speak of the Peaceful Revolution, we must not forget the risks the demonstrators were exposed to. It is both a privilege and a right to demonstrate without fear of violence. That is why I hope we will stand together against anti-democratic organizations!

Tristan (17), pupil

Alternative description:

Black-and-white photograph of an evening demonstration. A large group of people is standing beneath a fabric banner bearing the words “Power to the people”. Several women are standing in the foreground; on the right, a woman is looking directly at the camera. Street lights and the façade of a building can be seen in the background.

Caption:

Monday Demonstrators on Leipzig’s inner city ring road on October 23, 1989. Since the decisive Monday Demonstration on October 9, 1989, when people completely circled Leipzig’s ring road for the first time, there have been no further arrests.

Comment:

To me, this photo shows a fundamental democratic will. The slogan ›Power to the people‹ shows how the community was striving for change. The happy looks exchanged among people show solidarity and hope. There are many women in the image, which means that in 1989 it was not only men who demonstrated. I hope that, as a society, we do not forget the courage of all the demonstrators back then and remember that we, too, can help shape politics today.

Anton (17), pupil