Do you see the soldiers? This is the Sowjetisches Ehrenmal in Dresden. It stands as a powerful reminder of World War II. Let’s delve into its history and significance.
The Sowjetisches Ehrenmal is a memorial. It honors the Soviet soldiers who died in the Second World War. The memorial was created in 1945. Otto Rost, a German sculptor, designed it. It was the first monument erected in Germany for Soviet soldiers after the war. The Soviet Military Administration commissioned it. Dresdner Kunstgießerei Pirner & Franz carried out the work.
Originally, the monument stood at Albertplatz. This space was once named Platz der Roten Armee. Later, it was called Platz der Einheit. The fountain basin of Robert Diez’s Stürmische Wogen served as its foundation. This fountain had been damaged in an air raid. Until 1989, regular public commemorations took place here. These events included wreath-laying ceremonies.
After 1990, the city of Dresden decided to restore the fountain at Albertplatz. The Sowjetisches Ehrenmal had to be moved. Several alternative locations were considered. These included the south side of Albertplatz. Another option was the Soviet Garrison Cemetery. In early 1994, the monument was moved to Olbrichtplatz. This location is near the Military History Museum. The reconstruction was completed in April 1994. A plaque at Albertplatz commemorates the monument’s original location.
The Sowjetisches Ehrenmal features an obelisk-like base. It is made of red Meissen granite. A bronze sculpture sits atop the base. It depicts two Soviet soldiers with weapons and a flag. One soldier holds the Soviet banner. The second kneels behind with a machine gun.
Various Soviet symbols adorn the base. These include the hammer and sickle. You can also see the Soviet star. Laurel, a sword, and a rifle are present. Four bronze panels depict soldiers of the Red Army. They are shown with a waving flag. Military battle scenes are displayed. A representation of the provisional reconstruction of the Augustus Bridge is also visible.
An inscription in Russian declares: “Eternal glory to the fighters of the Red Army, who fell in the battles against the German fascist invaders for the freedom and independence of the Soviet Motherland.”
The Sowjetisches Ehrenmal is undergoing renovations. These started in September 2024. The sculpture and panels are being carefully removed. They will be restored in a workshop. The Dresden City Council approved funding for this work in December 2022.
The Beirat für Erinnerungskulturen is providing context. They aim to offer a critical commentary on the monument. They will address its history and the complexities of the era.
Today, the phrase “Never again war” is undermined. The Russian war in Ukraine challenges this ideal. The memorial embodies contradictions. It represents the suffering of the Soviet people. This resulted from the German attack in 1941. It also shows their resistance against fascism. The monument also displays militaristic imagery. It idealizes heroic figures. This reflects the Stalinist system. It also represents the Soviet occupation. The Sowjetisches Ehrenmal stands as a reminder. It is a place for reflection and remembrance.