© 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 gathered peacefully on the meadow at Petersstraße during the street music festival on 10 June 1989. Over the course of the day, 84 participants are arrested.

Comment:

I find it remarkable that all these people gathered to make music or simply to listen. And they did so even though they knew that gatherings of any kind could be, or already were, dangerous. I also admire how people organised 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 could be more events like this in the future. And who knows, perhaps everything would have turned out differently without this festival?!

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 9 July 1989.

Comment:

For me, this photograph 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 stand up for others and show solidarity. Freedom is indivisible, so we must defend it all over the world. I hope that we will keep this in mind: together we are stronger – both personally and internationally.

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 State Security employees struggle over a banner in Ritterstraße during the first Monday demonstration on 4 September 1989.

Comment:

It shocks me that, at first glance, it is impossible to tell who in this picture is one of the demonstrators and who belongs to the Stasi. So people were probably extremely tense throughout the demonstrations. I am impressed that the demonstrators managed to remain peaceful despite this pressure. I hope that we will continue to be able to demonstrate without fear or violence in the future. Our world needs more peaceful dialogue.

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 up a banner in St Nicholas’ Church courtyard on 4 September 1989. Shortly afterwards, State Security officers 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 banner stating their demands. Today, I would like to see more of this courage again, to draw attention to injustices even when people are afraid of police violence or counter-demonstrators.

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 4 September 1989 in St Nicholas’ Church Square. Unlike on the Mondays that followed, no arrests are made because the Western press is present for the trade fair.

Comment:

The image shows the peaceful nature of the entire protest, as well as the people’s desire for peace and freedom, whether young or old. In contrast to German society today, there is a sense of unity among much of the population and a shared determination. 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:

Solidarity with those imprisoned on 11 September, displayed in a window of St Nicholas Church in Leipzig on 18 September 1989.

Comment:

I find this photograph very personal and moving. I am impressed that people dared to publicly stand by their friends despite the consequences they faced. The people of Leipzig showed courage at the time and took personal risks to support their demands. The image also shows the solidarity among the people, as those who made the sign refer to the demonstrators as ›friends‹. I wish there were more of this 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 St Nicholas Church Square in Leipzig at the corner of Nikolaistraße and Schuhmachergäßchen following the Peace Prayer on 18 September 1989. Eighty-nine people had been arrested the previous week, and 31 participants were arrested on this Monday.

Comment:

For me, the gap between the state and the people in this image reflects the prevailing division within the GDR. Despite this sinister atmosphere, the people remain and show courage and solidarity by standing up for their demands and rights. They risk their freedom and physical safety, setting a powerful example of standing up for democracy. I hope that, especially today, we will defend our values, even if we may be risking a great deal.

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 30 October 1989.

Comment:

I still find this image highly relevant today, as this goal has yet to be achieved, even in 2026. Nevertheless, we are working towards it, and I hope that we will soon be able to make it a reality for everyone, including disadvantaged children and young people and those with physical disabilities. Education is not a privilege, but the foundation of 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 fringes of a protest marking the 40th anniversary of the GDR on Karl-Marx-Platz (now Augustusplatz) on 7 October 1989.

Comment:

The photograph shows how ruthlessly and brutally the demonstrators were treated. Although we speak of the Peaceful Revolution, we must not forget the risks to which the demonstrators were exposed. Being able to demonstrate without fear of violence is both a privilege and a right. I therefore hope that we will stand together against anti-democratic organisations!

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 23 October 1989. Since the decisive Monday demonstration on the 9ᵗʰ of October 1989, when people marched all the way around Leipzig’s ring road for the first time, there have been no more arrests.

Comment:

For me, the photo represents the fundamental will for democracy. The slogan ›Power to the people‹ shows how the community is striving for change. The happy glances exchanged between people convey solidarity and hope. There are many women in the picture: it was not only men who demonstrated in ’89. I hope that we, as a society, will not forget the courage of all those who demonstrated at the time and will remember that we, too, can help shape politics today.

Anton (17), pupil