Commemorative event on 17 June
Former Federal President Joachim Gauck will be guest of honour at the memorial to the victims of Stalinism
Former Federal President Joachim Gauck will take part in this year's commemoration of the 1953 uprising in the GDR on Saturday 17 June and will give the keynote speech.
The public commemorative event will begin at 11 a.m. at the memorial for the victims of Stalinism opposite the district court, Hohe Straße 23.
Journalists will receive a separate invitation with accreditation.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the popular uprising in the GDR. 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.
The discontent of many at the time was directed against high labour standards, difficult living conditions, the incipient omnipotence of the state apparatus and paternalism that extended into the private sphere.