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Less Soccer and Much Music
In the Fall of 1989, a peaceful demonstration by thousands of Leipzig citizens wrote a page in history. The so called "Monday demonstration" was held under the slogan "We are the people" and fought for democracy and freedom. And they made it. On November 9, the wall fell down and a year later Germany was reunited.
The Heroes of Monday Demonstrations
The history of Leipzig starts with the Slavonic settlers worshipping the linden tree as a god. Between the 7th and 9th centuries, these Slavonic people founded Lipzk (linden place) settlement. In 1015, the city is first mentioned in a document as "urbs Libzi", around which merchants and craftsmen settled. In 1165 the city seal was created and the city was conferred the right to organize markets.
St. Nicholas' church, starting point of Monday demonstrations, was consecrated in 1175 and nowadays it is the oldest church of the city. Until the 15th century, craftsmen and merchants experienced a strong drive due to the discovery of silver in Erzgebirge mountains. Luxurious buildings were built at that time, such as the old city hall, old St Nicholas' School, the old bascule, and the Coffee House, a baroque jewel.
Leipzig's development is also due to the book and it was known as "the city of the book". Until late in the 15th century, foreign book printers and merchants still reached the city. The first book was printed in Leipzig in 1481. 1,300 books were printed until 1530 and in the Leipzig book fair publications of all parts of Europe were marketed. Moreover, the world's first newspaper was published here in 1650. |
