Messages of peace right on our doorstep

Gerald Richter, who has only just been awarded the Federal Cross of Merit for his voluntary work, has completed the Peace Banner project. But his next art project is already in the pipeline and is due to be completed in time for Chemnitz Peace Day on 5 March 2027.

Gerald Richter, making an explanatory gesture in front of colourful, large-scale paintings in a gallery or studio. Picture: Walter A. Müller-Wähner

Two ‘Chemnitz’ signs, each 1.70 metres high and nine metres wide, will then be permanently installed on Neumarkt and Theaterplatz respectively. Like the peace banners – of which there are now 346 – they were designed by schoolchildren, who have left their personal messages of peace on them.

A schoolgirl is concentrating on her work: she is holding a palette of colours and painting with a fine brush on a white canvas in a bright studio.

The letters are being artistically designed by pupils from the André Gymnasium (photo) and the Montessori Secondary School Picture: Walter A. Müller-Wähner

This new project effectively brings the banner project – which culminated in a world record as the largest youth art project during the Capital of Culture year – down to street level, so to speak. “Every letter is a personal message of peace. Until now, the banners hung high up on the town hall, the Roter Turm gallery and the secondary school on Hartmannplatz. Now the message is coming out onto the streets.”

The letters will feature themes that concern young people: reducing waste and compulsory military service, women’s self-determination and the threat to animal species posed by humans. The letters must be fully painted and mounted on their pedestals by 5 March 2027, as they will be unveiled on Peace Day. The familiar banners will also be hung up again. The new project is privately funded and receives no public grants.

The colourfully painted wooden panels explore themes such as environmental and climate protection, equality and self-determination, as well as conscription and fears about the future.

The wooden panels address topics such as environmental and climate protection, equality and self-determination, as well as compulsory military service and fears about the future. Picture: Walter A. Müller-Wähner

At André Gymnasium, the Year 12 pupils on the Advanced Art course even used the autumn half-term to continue working on their pieces. Adele Wolff is painting her letter on the themes of war and education. “These are the issues that matter to me,” says the 18-year-old. She had to get used to the idea that her artwork would soon be on public display. “But it’s a great honour and I’m very grateful to be part of it.”