Neubrandenburg plans to move the Karl Marx Monument: A new location?

Neubrandenburg plans to move the Karl Marx Monument: A new location?

It seems as if the Karl Marx monument in Neubrandenburg is once again at the center of a passionate discussion. After numerous attacks on the monument, most recently desecrated with a swastika, moving the statue is on the city council's agenda. A vote will be held on December 11th on whether the statue should move to a new home on Stargarder Strasse, at the northern end of the regional library. The proposal comes from the Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht-Reason and Justice/Citizens for Neubrandenburg (BSW/BfN) faction and was recently discussed again after the mayor, Silvio Witt, recommended re-examining where the statue could be housed more safely in order to prevent further acts of vandalism. This discussion is accompanied by the city's plan to implement the statue in 2026, with an estimated cost of 7,500 euros. As the Baltic Sea newspaper Reportedly, the statue has been damaged several times and is currently in need of repair.

But why is the move so necessary? Jens Kreutzer from the BSW/BfN explained that the repeated acts of vandalism, which also included the cutting off of an arm, send a strong signal that the current location is no longer parliamentary tenable. He also suggested that suggestions for alternative locations, such as the inner courtyard of the Franciscan monastery or the art collection, would be worth considering. Mayor Witt is also skeptical as to whether a search for a location will actually lead to fruitful solutions, after similar things have already been examined. So it remains exciting.

Multimedia exhibition on the Battle of the Tollensetal

While the city council is working on solutions for the monument, there is also good news from Altentreptow. A multimedia exhibition on the Battle of the Tollensetal is to be set up here in the listed mill warehouse. This project, estimated at around 9.25 million euros, uses funds from the federal government's KulturInvest program, which has already committed 3.75 million euros in 2024. The first results of a feasibility study on possible exhibition locations should be available by the end of January 2026. This shows that the city of Neubrandenburg continues to have an interest in its history while at the same time planning more modern exhibitions.

Education and shaping the future

Speaking of shaping the future: 40 students from the Regional Vocational Training Center in Waren (Müritz) are currently taking part in the “stock market simulation game”. The popular educational game has been offered by Ostseesparkasse Rostock for 30 years and gives students practical knowledge of how to handle capital. The participants can juggle virtual 50,000 euros and learn about economic relationships in a playful way. The best three participants can look forward to cash prizes of 300, 200 and 150 euros. There are calls from students to further integrate business and finance education into the curriculum to better prepare future generations for economic life.

A look at the region

Another aspect that affects regional culture is the commitment of Stefan Weber, a correctional officer at the Neustrelitz JVA. He is passionate about ensuring that inmates can embrace their life stories and perspectives in order to avoid relapses and be able to reintegrate into society. This comes against the backdrop of an increasing search for committed young talent as many civil servants are retiring. A solid and capable staff is required to continue to implement the goals in the correctional system.

The regional reporting is rounded off by the latest annual review “Spotify Wrapped 2025”. This shows that listening habits vary in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: While Pashanim is the most popular artist in the entire country, Taylor Swift is very popular in cities like Rostock and Greifswald. Interesting how music reflects tastes and regional flair!