“…When you carry a candle, you need both hands. You have to protect the light, protect it from being extinguished…” (Christian Führer 1989)

The artistic concept “Sea of Lights” for the Freedom and Unity Monument in Leipzig combines multi-layered historical symbolism to create a modern, vibrant place of remembrance. The design uses 70,000 reflective “points of light” to visualize the overwhelming number of demonstrators who, on October 9, 1989, prompted the GDR security forces to cease their violent actions. While the individual “lights” symbolize the courageous demonstrators, the element of water represents the peaceful nature of the revolution. The memorial blends harmoniously into the planned park landscape and at the same time creates a new, central place for reflection and inspiration.

Water surface – central and peaceful
During the warm seasons, a circular water surface covers the points of light at the bottom of the pool and, in combination with the sun, clouds, and wind, creates a reflective, constantly changing “sea of light.” It symbolizes the idea of peaceful demonstration that united the participants and was expressed in chants such as “No violence!” A curated gushing and ebbing of the water, as well as moments of water mist, symbolize and remind us of the emergence of large demonstrations and the uncertainty felt about their outcome.

Mosaic of 70,000 reflective ceramic discs
To visualize the overwhelming number of demonstrators, the floor of the memorial is covered with a mosaic of 70,000 light-reflecting round discs. Each of these discs symbolizes one of the peaceful demonstrators. During the day, the mosaic reflects the light of the sky and the sun, reflecting its surroundings in many individual points and making the water surface glow from within. At night, the mosaic will shine in the soft and warm light of hundreds of light points, reminiscent of the candles carried by the demonstrators.

Team: Christoph Richter, Jan Musikowski, Sebastian Haufe, Hannes Schewe, Anna Talens, Sebastian Schlunk, Griegerharzerdvorak: Nina Dvorak, Anna Lyungby