Thursday 11.7.2024 6.30 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.
Monument to the fallen of the 5th Guards Regiment on foot
Christian Behrens, 1923 (1905)
Object: Fragment of the eagle from the monument to the fallen of the 5th Guards Regiment on Foot, Christian Behrens, 1923 (1905), Original location: Askanierring, Berlin-Spandau
Meeting point: Citadel, show depot Bastion Queen
Who: Dr. Christian Saehrendt (art historian and publicist in Thun (CH)), Prof. Dr. Oliver Janz (historian, Friedich-Meinecke-Institute Free University of Berlin)
Controversial questions: The history of the object itself is curious: first, the memorial to the soldiers killed is assembled from old and new individual parts, already classified as politically sensitive at the time of its erection, then pushed back and forth in the urban space like an unpopular but unavoidable sign and in 1991, after a destructive anti-Gulf War campaign, it was half left standing and half disposed of in the depot. But why did an inconspicuous war memorial from the First World War become a bone of contention? Was it the eagle – and what would that say about the German relationship with this bird?
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.
