Commemorative event on the 70th anniversary of the popular uprising
Ceremonial commemoration on 17 June - Former Federal President Joachim Gauck gives speech
On Saturday, 17 June at 11 a.m., citizens and representatives of the media are invited to a commemorative event to mark the 70th anniversary of the popular uprising in the GDR. The ceremony, organised by the City of Chemnitz together with the Association of Victims of Stalinism and the Kaßberg Prison Learning and Memorial Centre, will take place at the memorial to the victims of Stalinism opposite the district court, Hohe Straße 23.
Former Federal President Joachim Gauck will give the keynote speech. In addition to Lord Mayor Sven Schulze, Minister of State Martin Dulig will give a welcoming address. Wreaths will be laid at the memorial at the beginning of the event.
The event is dedicated to the victims and victims of persecution in the Soviet occupation zone between 1945 and 1949 and later in the GDR, as well as to all victims of Stalinist dictatorships after 1945.
Following the memorial ceremony at the memorial, the invited guests will proceed to the construction site of the Kaßberg Prison learning and memorial centre, where the former Federal President will sign the Golden Book of the City of Chemnitz. This will be followed by a guided tour of the historically authentic site, during which the project management will provide information about the double dictatorship history of the former political prison, the release of prisoners from the GDR and the memorial concept.
The part of the programme at the Kaßberg Prison Learning and Memorial Site is not open to the public, but representatives of the media are cordially invited.
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.