Voelkerschlacht 2013 Dieter Grundmann / Westend

Voelkerschlacht 2013 Dieter Grundmann / Westend

With a Commemorative Week from October 16 to 20, 2013, the City of Leipzig and the surrounding region are paying their respect to the Battle of the Nations together with the inauguration of the Monument and the Russian Church.

Describing the week which will place the picture of a peaceful and unified Europe at the heart of all its events Mayor Burkhard Jung states: “Leipzig is marking a historic date which is regarded as bringing a momentous epoch in European history to a close.”

Literary and philosophical dialog on October 16

The events will be launched on October 16 by a literary and philosophical dialog entitled “Alas, Europe!”. Writers Martin Pollack, Karl Schlögel, Geert Mak and Juri Andruchowytsch, all recipients of the Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding, express their point of view on the role of spirit and culture in the process of European unification.

Reconciliation in the spirit of faith on October 17

The Thursday is dedicated to reconciliation in the spirit of faith. Among other events an ecumenical prayer for peace will bring together churchmen and women from all confessions at the Monument. Those expected to attend include the Bishop of Saxony Jochen Bohl, French Bishop Vincent Dollmann and Russian Orthodox Archbishop Longin von Klin.

Political ceremony on October 18

On the Friday of the Commemorative Week the participants in the political ceremony, including Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, Karel Schwarzenberg, former Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, Minister President Stanislaw Tillich and Mayor Burkhard Jung, will be issuing an appeal for peace. Numerous further international guests have announced that they will be attending, including Per Westerberg, President of the Swedish Parliament, Michael Häupl, Mayor of Vienna, Michail Schwydkoy, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Special Delegate for Culture as well as many European ambassadors.

Following the ceremony the renovated Monument to the Battle of the Nations will be symbolically handed over.

Festival of the People on October 19

On the occasion of the “Festival of the People” on October 19 a range of performers, including Russia’s Sretensky Monastery Choir and Polish jazz singer Karolina Trybala, will be on stage. From 10:00 hrs there will be theme-based guided tours of the Monument, which will remain open until 24:00 hrs. Admission is free of charge.

The day will be rounded off by an open-air performance by Theater Titanick entitled “Dream Worlds”.

Re-enactment of the Battle of the Nations and prayers for peace on October 20

After a historical re-enactment of the Battle of the Nations featuring around 6,000 participants at the Weinteichsenke Markkleeberg the Commemorative Week will end in a tranquil and reflective manner on October 20 with prayers for peace in many parishes. “Music for Peace in Europe” will be played in the crypt of the Monument.

 

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