Thursday 17.10.2024 6.30 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.
Border post
Hans Eickworth, 1968
Object: Border post, Hans Eickworth, 1968, Original location: planned Jerusalemer Straße, Berlin-Mitte, from 1971 Ho Chi Minh Barracks, Berlin-Wilhelmshagen
Meeting point: Citadel, Museum “Unveiled. Berlin and its monuments”
Who: Prof. Dr. Axel Klausmeier (architectural historian, Berlin Wall Foundation), Dr. Doris Müller-Toovey (Historian, Military History Museum Berlin-Gatow Airfield)
Controversial questions: From 1961 to 1964, 54 people lost their lives at the Berlin Wall. Six of them were GDR border troops, as fugitives and escape helpers had also been arming themselves since 1962. escape helpers also armed themselves. Hans Eickworth, the “first professional artist from the ranks of the NVA” (Berliner Zeitung 1961), had had enough: he used his creative energy to create a monument to his comrades who had fallen in battle against their own people. But the wishes of the GDR leadership and the artist’s taste were far apart. How is the commemoration of these Wall victims perceived today? What forms are considered appropriate today for commemorating German soldiers, and now also female soldiers, who were killed in the line of duty?
This event is part of the discussion series Fallen Heroes – Democratic Debates at the War Memorial.
“Germany is getting a Veterans’ Day” was the headline in the media in November 2023. This was followed by a discussion about the sense and nonsense of what is understood as “hero worship” commemoration.
When it comes to the culture of remembrance, the Spandau Citadel is naturally involved: the exhibition “Unveiled. Berlin and its monuments” has become a center for the discussion of controversial monuments. We are happy to provide space for an interesting controversy – always on the basis of scientific information, with current references and in a friendly atmosphere.
In this series of talks, we offer the opportunity to learn more about Berlin monuments that were dedicated to generals and soldiers from 1822 to 1989 were dedicated to generals and soldiers and which reveal much about the specifically German development of the public veneration of military personalities. We visit the original objects in the museum, in the new display depot at the Citadel and in public spaces. After a short keynote speech, we invite you to a joint discussion, moderated by museum director Dr. Urte Evert.
