“Siehe, ich lebe, woraus?” These words of Rainer Maria Rilke, etched into this very monument, invite us to contemplate existence. We’re standing before the Rilke-Denkmal. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of poetry and reconciliation.
This monument isn’t just stone. It is a symbol of friendship between Germany and the Czech Republic. Conceived by Dr. Jiří Kostelecký, it embodies a message of peace. Kostelecký suffered professional setbacks for 15 years. He initiated the Rilke-Denkmal. It’s part of a project called “Our History Knows No Nameless Heroes.”
The Rilke-Denkmal was inaugurated on October 25, 2007. Monika Thiemen, Jiri Dienstbier, and Jiří Kostelecký unveiled it. The Europäische Rainer Maria Rilke Stiftung played a crucial role.
Notice the carefully chosen granite. It comes from Mrakotín, a quarry on the border of Bohemia and Moravia. This detail underscores the monument’s theme of reconciliation. Rilke, born in Prague, serves as a cultural bridge.
Miroslav Vochta, a Czech sculptor and architect, designed the Rilke-Denkmal. His initial design featured four stones. The design didn’t fit the square. He revised it to the stele we see today.
The area around the Rilke-Denkmal is marked by small paving stones. Look closely. The inscriptions are in both German and Czech. They run diagonally around the stele. The words are from Rilke’s “Duino Elegies.”
Embedded in the ground is a granite plate. It reads “Gift of the Czech People and the City of Prague to the German People and the Partner City Berlin.” The plate also displays “Prague” in four languages.
The Prager Platz provides an outer occasion for the location. It was created in 1870. It was originally called Halberstädter Platz. It was renamed in 1888.
Take a moment to reflect on Rilke’s words. Consider the monument’s message of understanding. The Rilke-Denkmal invites us to ponder the meaning of life. It promotes harmony between nations. It stands as a quiet beacon of hope.