Mitte in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany — Central Europe
Straßenmusikfestival für die Freiheit der Kunst
Orte der Friedlichen Revolution
⎯⎯⎯
Street music festival for the freedom of art
Sites of the Peaceful Revolution
| — | '89 | — |
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2026
1. Straßenmusikfestival für die Freiheit der Kunst / Street music festival for the freedom of art Marke
10. Juni 1989
Ohne Genehmigung öffentlich zu musizieren war in der DDR strafbar. Für die Freiheit der Kunst organisierten Leipziger Oppositionsgruppen deshalb ein Straßenmusikfestival. Wie zu erwarten, wurde dies von den staatlichen Stellen verboten. Trotzdem trafen in Leipzig am 10. Juni 1989 viele Musiker aus der ganzen DDR zusammen und spielten zur Freude der Passanten bis in die Mittagsstunden in der Innenstadt.
Gegen 12.00 Uhr fuhr die Volkspolizei vor und lud die Musiker samt ihren Instrumenten, aber auch Unbeteiligte, gewaltsam auf LKWs. Die Festnahmen dauerten bis zum Nachmittag an. Kurz vor Beginn der Motette des Thomanerchores wurden fast alle noch auf freiem Fuß befindlichen Musiker vor der Thomaskirche am Bachdenkmal eingekesselt und ebenfalls verhaftet. Von den 84 Festgenommenen kamen 53 nicht aus dem Bezirk Leipzig, was die SED zusätzlich beunruhigte.
Bei vielen Zeugen lösten die Übergriffe der Sicherheitsorgane Entsetzen und Unverständnis aus. So kam es bis zum Abend zu spontanen Solidaritätsaktionen.
Foto: Rainer K.
June
this page online
Making music publicly without permission was a punishable offence in the CDR. For the freedom of art, opposition groups in Leipzig therefore organized a street music festival. As expected, this was banned by the authorities. Nevertheless many musicians from all over the GDR met in Leipzig on 10 June, 1989, and played to the delight of passers-by until lunch hour in the city centre.
Around 12 o'clock the Volkspolizei came forward and violently forced the musicians with their instruments and also bystanders onto trucks. The arrests continued until the afternoon. Shortly before the beginning of the motet of the Thomanerchor almost all of the remaining musicians were surrounded in front of St. Thomas' Church at the Bach Memorial and also arrested. Of the 84 arrested 53 came from outside the Leipzig district, a fact which also troubled the SED.
Many witnesses took exception to the attacks by the security forces which caused terror and confusion. Thus spontaneous solidarity actions took place until evening.
Photo: Rainer K.
Erected by Stadt Leipzig and Freistaat Sachsen. (Marker Number 5.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is June 10, 1989.
Location. 51°
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2026
2. Straßenmusikfestival für die Freiheit der Kunst / Street music festival for the freedom of art Marke
The marker is located northeast of the St. Thomas Church next to Thomaswiese park.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gefälschte Kommunalwahl -Kontrolle und Proteste / Rigged local elections control and protests (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Thomaskirche Leipzig / St. Thomas Church (about 90 meters away); Hôtel de Saxe (about 90 meters away); a different marker also named Hôtel de Saxe (about 90 meters away); Historische Ereignisse auf dem Marktplatz in Leipzig / Historic Events on Leipzig's Market Square (about 120 meters away); Victor von Prendel (about 120 meters away); Anna Magdalena Bach (about 120 meters away); Alte Thomasschule / Old St. Thomas School (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leipzig.
Also see . . . Monday demonstrations in East Germany. Wikipedia
The Monday demonstrations (German: Montagsdemonstrationen in der DDR) were a series of peaceful political protests against the government of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). The demonstrations began in Leipzig on 4 September 1989, starting the Peaceful Revolution in the GDR: the fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the government, and German reunification.(Submitted on June 14, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 13, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
