Schwerin in dispute: Open letter against Lenin statue under monument protection!

Schwerin in dispute: Open letter against Lenin statue under monument protection!

The waves have risen in the state capital Schwerin: The discussion about the bronze Lenin statue, which was erected in 1985 and is 3.50 meters high, is causing waves. The statue is to be placed under monument protection, but historians, victims' associations and representatives of memorial sites have strongly opposed this step in an open letter. This letter, which has met with a wide response, criticizes Lenin's total involvement in a totalitarian system based on violence and oppression. Deutschlandfunk culture informs about the core concerns of the letter writers.

There is also criticism of the decision-makers' perspective regarding the lack of consideration of the victim's perspective. The signatories recall that over 100 death sentences were handed down by a Soviet military tribunal in Schwerin between 1950 and 1953. It is not just a piece of the past, but a painful memory for many people in the region. The signatories, including historian Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk and author Grit Poppe, make it clear that they do not want to throw away the history.

Historical context

To better understand the controversy surrounding the statue, it is worth looking at the person it depicts: Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, better known as Lenin. He was born on April 22, 1870 in Simbirsk, Russia and was the first head of government of the Soviet Union from 1922 until his death in 1924. Lenin was a central figure in the October Revolution of 1917, which led to the establishment of a communist state. His ideology, Leninism, adapted Marxist theory to the specific conditions of Russia and shaped numerous subsequent communist movements worldwide. Wikipedia offers a detailed account of his political career and ideological legacy.

Lenin's influence on history is undisputed, but his legacy is riddled with ambivalence. The structures he founded not only led to significant socio-political changes, but also to repressive measures, such as the Red Terror during the Civil War. This casts a shadow over the celebrations and thinkers associated with his name.

Alternative suggestions and reactions

What happens now to the statue? In the open letter, the signatories suggest allowing plants to overgrow the statue or even moving it to the courtyard of the former KGB prison. These proposals aim to present the memory of the period and the crimes associated with it in a different light, without simply erasing history. It is an exciting undertaking that focuses on both the memory of the victims and the teaching power of the past.

So what's next in Schwerin? The municipality now faces the challenge of finding a balanced approach to this historical heritage that both preserves history and allows future generations to learn from the lessons of the past. The decision on the monument protection of the Lenin statue is certainly eagerly awaited and can further stimulate the public debate about coming to terms with history in Germany.