Commemorative event on 17 June 1953
Former Federal President Joachim Gauck gives memorial speech and signs the Golden Book of the City of Chemnitz
Former Federal President Joachim Gauck, representatives of the state government and the City of Chemnitz today commemorated the 70th anniversary of the victims of the popular uprising on 17 June 1953.
The ceremony, which was organised by the City of Chemnitz together with the Association of Victims of Stalinism and the Kaßberg Prison Learning and Memorial Centre, took place at the memorial to the victims of Stalinism on Hohe Straße.
In his welcoming address, Lord Mayor Sven Schulze emphasised how important it is to preserve and expand the culture of remembrance: "There are fewer and fewer contemporary witnesses every year. Those who can talk about those times are becoming increasingly silent. Memories are in danger of fading. We must not allow this to happen. We owe it to the courageous people of 1953 to keep the memory alive, to remember them. Without them, who took to the streets back then, we would not have a reunified Germany. They, the intrepid women and men, are the pioneers of our democracy today."
Former Federal President Joachim Gauck sees 17 June as a reminder for today: "We must continue to stand by those all over the world who - despite being discriminated against and marginalised - courageously stand up for freedom, democracy and justice. Even if these defenders of freedom and human rights are temporarily defeated - as we once were - we owe them, with whom we share our values, our support. We want to give them a voice when they are prevented from speaking, and we want to make them heard when they seek publicity - whether in Russia, Belarus or Iran. So our memory also gives rise to an obligation for today. And we say it quite simply: our memory of the past gives rise to solidarity now!"
The Saxon State Government was represented by Minister of Economic Affairs Martin Dulig and State Secretary Prof Thomas Popp. Martin Dulig, Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister, said: "17 June is and remains a symbol of people's desire for freedom, democracy and respect. The commemoration reminds us to stand up for freedom, justice and cohesion every day. At the same time, we must oppose all anti-democratic forces that are also aggressively questioning democratic institutions and parts of the Basic Law in Saxony."
The event is dedicated to the victims of persecution in the Soviet occupation zone from 1945 to 1949 and later in the GDR, as well as to all victims of Stalinist dictatorships after 1945. Around 17 June 1953, there were numerous strikes, mass demonstrations and political protests in almost all East German cities, which led to bloody clashes with the GDR security forces and were violently ended by the military and police.
Following the memorial ceremony at the memorial, Joachim Gauck signed the Golden Book of the City of Chemnitz at the construction site of the Kaßberg Prison Learning and Memorial Centre. Once completed in autumn, this historically authentic site will provide information about the dual dictatorship history of the former political prison and the release of prisoners from the GDR.