“Es starben für uns 1914 – 1918”. This inscription, etched onto the Gefallenendenkmal, carries the weight of a generation lost. The Gefallenendenkmal, here in Lübeck, is more than just a monument. It’s a solemn reminder of the human cost of World War I, a tribute to the 1,755 soldiers and 85 officers of the 3rd Hanseatic Infantry Regiment No. 162 who never returned home. Standing before the Gefallenendenkmal, you’ll see a stoic figure, a soldier frozen in time. He’s paused, helmet in hand, head bowed in a moment of silent prayer. This poignant sculpture, titled “Helm ab zum Gebet” (Helmet off for Prayer), was created by Richard Kuöhl and unveiled in 1925. It wasn’t the original vision for the monument. Initially, a kneeling figure was planned but the veterans of the regiment pushed for a figure that exuded strength and resilience, a testament to the spirit of their fallen comrades. The Gefallenendenkmal is not just a statue, it’s a place of remembrance. Every year on Volkstrauertag, Germany’s Remembrance Day, citizens gather here to honor those who perished in war. Wreaths are laid, speeches are made, and the inscription on the monument serves as a stark reminder of the past and a plea for a more peaceful future.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to