Peaceful Revolution

In the autumn of 1989, Leipzig became the starting point of the Peaceful Revolution in the GDR. Thousands of people gathered on Mondays at St Nicolas Church Yard and in the surrounding streets to demonstrate for freedom and democracy. What began as a small prayer for peace developed into a powerful protest movement that heralded the end of SED rule.

The 9ᵗʰ of October 1989 is considered a turning point: Around 70,000 people marched through the city despite massive threats from the state authorities and fears of violence. Their call “We are the people” became a symbol of resistance. Yet the security forces did not intervene – a historic moment that was to significantly influence the further course of events in the GDR.

A few weeks later, the Berlin Wall fell and the GDR opened its borders. Leipzig had shown that change through peaceful protest was possible. Today, the Leipzig Festival of Lights commemorates the courageous people of that time and keeps the memory of the autumn of ’89 alive.