Voices on the monument
Since this is a citizens‘ monument, citizens are called upon to join in the discussion about the content of the monument. The very conscious question is, what kind of understanding of freedom and unity do we have? Has this unity been achieved, or does it have to be fought for anew every day? It is a monument for all of us.Dr. Andreas H. Apelt (Representative of the managing board of the Deutsche Gesellschaft e. V.)
It should be a monument of pride and joy but not one of complacency and self-righteousness. It should permit all our compatriots to identify themselves with it or at the very least to accept it across geographical, social and political-ideological dividing lines.
Prof. Dr. Peter Brandt (Historian and member of the board of trustees of the Deutsche Gesellschaft e. V.)
The planned monument is an impulse, a stimulation to reflect – in the best sense of ‘Think about it!’ a monument is first and foremost a moment of emotion. It conveys an image. If this is good, it becomes the subject of a story. A lot will have been gained if the Germans have a discussion on the lines of “What are we really? What do we want to be?” before the monument is erected.
Jürgen Engert (†) (Founding director of the ARD capital city studio)
I am glad that we now finally have clarity [following the German Bundestag‘s decision on 1st June 2017] and the impasse on the monument for German reunification is over. However controversial individual aspects of this monument are, social consensus is very broadly in favour of publicly commemorating the Peaceful Revolution of 1989 appropriately as such. The monument is a sign that we not only want to mature as a result of the deep abysses of our history but also appreciate the highlights.
Prof. Monika Grütters, MdB (former Minister of State with the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Government’s Commissioner for Culture and Media)
Politics should have the courage to raise the moral courage of the people in a peaceful revolution on to the base where historical signs of triumph haver so far only commemorated military victories. Such a monument would also be a necessary supplementary part of the diverse landscape of remembrance in the German capital which commemorates German guilt and urges us to take responsibility.
Prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert (former President of the German Bundestag)
The historical centre of Berlin is now going to receive a monument which is of central interest especially for subsequent generations.
Dr. h.c. Lothar de Maizière (former prime minister and former chair of the Deutsche Gesellschaft e. V.)
Berlin is once again the capital city of all Germans. For this reason, a national monument of this importance and impact belongs in the reunified capital. The massive empty base of the historic national monument reminds us that Germany was unified for the first time under Bismarck: from above. It offers the foundation for a freedom and unity monument for the Peaceful Revolution: from below.
Florian Mausbach (former President of the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning)
The Deutsche Gesellschaft e. V. has been demanding a visible sign of remembrance for a long time. [...] It will be in the heart of Berlin, on Berlin‘s Schlossfreiheit, and will hopefully commemorate the happiest events in recent German history in the not too distant future. [...] Places and moments of public remembrance like this are needed. They are an expression of a nation’s convergence and cohesion.
Dr. Angela Merkel (former Federal German Chancellor)
Unity, justice and freedom have prevailed. This signal should have an impact on civil society.
Franz Müntefering (former Federal Minister)
It is about self-assurance: We are the people. We are one nation! The monument is dedicated to the people. This is linked to an aspiration: Those above are not responsible for everything but citizens themselves hold the power in this democracy. We wanted to ‘raise’ the base of the old equestrian monument of Kaiser Wilhelm for this new purpose.
Günter Nooke (civil rights activist and former personal director of African affairs for the former Federal Chancellor)
The planned freedom and unity monument in Berlin can be described as unique. It is unique because unlike most other monuments it is intended to commemorate the positive and joyful events of German history – the serendipity of German history so to speak.
Hans-Joachim Otto (former Parliamentary Secretary of State and former chair of the German Bundestag’s Committee for Culture and Media)
There were many places in Germany where important events took place, for example the Monday demonstrations in Leipzig. But reunification was resolved by the freely elected People’s Chamber in Berlin. In addition, Berlin is the country’s capital city and thus also the capital city of our remembrance culture.
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Richard Schröder (Theologist)
The fact alone that the monument already has a nickname, ‘Unity seesaw’, shows how popular it is. And that a lot of people are upset about the design does not have to be a drawback. Art is also a bit of provocation; people should reflect on this. This seesaw, where you can walk to the right and to the left, symbolises the situation of 1989/90 extremely well.
Dr. Stefan Wolle (Historian and scientific head of the GDR Museum in Berlin)