Leipzig is a beautiful and intriguing city with which I had many encounters, sometimes with Dagmar and Ingo, others with the students and teachers, once by myself. So much happened so fast that my brain is working purely off of highlights at this point. If you have any questions or requests to expand on an experience, please include your inquiry in the comment section.
Nikolaikirche and some French students (above and below):
Nikolaikirche was the chosen location of protests that took place every Monday for months before the collapse of the Communist regime in East Germany. The Revolution of 1989 was the first of its kind: peaceful. We walked the streets and squares where the people of East Germany marched in protest of their oppression.
Der alte Rathaus:
Great murals depicting solidarity in the fight for liberty:
French students on a scavenger hunt:
La rue piéton au centre ville:
der Ampelmänn!
...der Ampelmänn is a cultural treasure left over from East Germany. After the Revolution there was talk of incorporating the boring "walk/don't walk" signals from the West. Leipzig and other passionate parties stood their ground. Vive der Ampelmänn!
Beautiful side-street at the rear of Thomaskirche:
Thomaskirche: one of two houses of worship in Leipzig.
...the corresponding link on the right (in the link list) gives you the low-down on Thomaskirche. Germany is very proud of their boy choirs and at this particular church you can attend performances every Friday night for only 1euro. Oh yeah, Bach rocks this city.
Art Nouveau in Leipzig- Riquet Café
Panorama Tower- 25th floor Café; University Library on Ground floor:
Photographic evidence does not exist for our visits to the STASI Archives or other museums so discriptions will have to do. The Museum of Contemporary History was amazing! We were guided through exhibits referencing the time period 1953-1989. This was the place where I retained my outline framework of German History. It's still foggy but I feel confident I can fill in the gaps as time goes on ;) The STASI Archives were something else. I mean what's creepier than a shit ton of documents procured by a communist-run socialist police force when that's all you know?
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the lovely tour, Emily! I especially enjoyed the insights you shared about the days of the GDR and its ultimate demise, AND the great shot of the der Amplemann "walk" signal.
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