Imagine holding history in your hands, the Leipziger Volkszeitung. It’s more than ink on paper. It’s a chronicle of Leipzig, a voice for its people. Founded on October 1, 1894 the Leipziger Volkszeitung, or LVZ, emerged as a vital voice. It quickly became a key publication for the workers’ movement.
The Leipziger Volkszeitung started with a circulation of 11,000 copies. It rose from the ashes of its predecessor, Wähler. Bruno Schönlank led as chief editor, shaping its early voice from Mittelstraße. Early on, the police noticed the sharp tone. Yet its clever writing style avoided legal trouble. Only one exception occurred. From 1902 to 1907, Franz Mehring took the editorial reins. Paul Lensch followed from 1908 to 1913. By 1914, the Leipziger Volkszeitung reached a circulation of 53,000. The LVZ became a mouthpiece for Rosa Luxemburg’s Social Democrat Party faction.
The Leipziger Volkszeitung shifted ownership in 1917. It landed with the Independent Social Democratic Party of Germany. In 1922, reunification saw the LVZ return to the SPD fold. But its voice was silenced in 1933. The National Socialists banned it.
After World War II, a new printing house rose. It stood where the Leipziger Neuesten Nachrichten once did. From May 19, 1946, the Leipziger Volkszeitung became the organ of the Socialist Unity Party. It served western Saxony, then northwest Saxony, until reunification in 1989.
The winds of change blew again in 1991. The East German Treuhand sold the Leipziger Volkszeitung. Axel Springer AG and Madsack Group each acquired a 50% stake. By 1992, circulation soared to 340,000 copies.
In 2001, the Leipziger Volkszeitung maintained a strong circulation of 305,000. Springer initiated talks with Madsack in 2008. This led to Madsack Group gaining full ownership on February 5, 2009. The SPD’s media group dd_vg holds a 20.4% share in the Madsack Group.
The Leipziger Volkszeitung extends its reach. It’s sold around Leipzig, in western, northern, and central Saxony. The paper even touches the northern part of Altenburger Land in Thuringia. In Döbeln and Altenburg, it appears under different names. Elsewhere, it retains the Leipziger Volkszeitung title with a local subtitle.
To celebrate its centenary in 1994, the Leipziger Volkszeitung established an art prize. Awarded every two years since 1995, it includes prize money. The winner gets 10,000 euros. An exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts Leipzig follows. A catalog accompanies the exhibition.
Today, Hannah Suppa leads the Leipziger Volkszeitung as editor-in-chief. The Leipziger Volkszeitung continues to evolve. The Leipziger Volkszeitung reflects the spirit of Leipzig. Its legacy remains etched in every edition.