“Out of the hollow, dark gate comes a colorful crowd…” No, this is not the Easter walk. It is the complex depiction of the Kampf und Sieg der revolutionären deutschen Arbeiterklasse. It is better known as “Weg der roten Fahne”.
The Kampf und Sieg der revolutionären deutschen Arbeiterklasse stands as a testament to Chemnitz’s socialist past. The monumental bronze relief is located at the corner of Brückenstraße and Bahnhofstraße. Johannes Belz created it in 1976.
Belz sadly died the same year that the Kampf und Sieg der revolutionären deutschen Arbeiterklasse was finished. A wealth of details can be discovered on this relief. But you must look closely. In Chemnitz, you can encounter other artworks by Johannes Belz. For example, the beautiful Klapperbrunnen is also one of his works.
Chemnitz redesigned its center after twenty years of socialism. The city and party leadership commissioned a collective of sculptors. Jo Jastram led them. Their task was to put poems by Bertolt Brecht into stone. The dedication took place on the Republic’s birthday in 1972. From then on, praise for the party and dialectics could be seen on Brückenstraße. The Kampf und Sieg der revolutionären deutschen Arbeiterklasse also showed praise for communism, revolutionaries and learning. The reliefs are fourfold. They are easy to read and interpret from all sides. “Don’t be afraid to ask, comrade. Don’t let anyone talk you into anything. See for yourself.”
Other art in Chemnitz includes the “Lobgedichte”. This plastic ensemble is also located on Brückenstraße. It consists of three openwork relief walls and a stele. Based on poems by Bertolt Brecht, they depict the development of humanity towards the bright future of communism. The artworks from 1972 are made of Bulgarian Wratza limestone. Martin Wetzel designed the relief wall “Lob der Partei” and the stele “Lob des Kommunismus”. Eberhard Rossdeutscher created the relief wall “Lob des Revolutionärs”. Jo Jastram created the relief wall with the “Lob der Dialektik” on one side. The other side shows the “Lob des Lernens”.
Bertolt Brecht wrote “Lob des Kommunismus”. “It is reasonable. Everyone understands it. It is easy.”
The relief wall “Lob des Revolutionärs” says: “Wherever silence is kept there he will speak and where oppression reigns and fate is spoken of he will name names. Wherever he sits down to eat discontent sits down to eat the food goes bad and the chamber is recognized as narrow. Wherever they chase him to there goes the riot and where he is chased away unrest remains.”
“Lob der Dialektik” says: “Who still lives, do not say: never! What is certain is not certain. It won’t stay the way it is. Who dares to say: never? Who is knocked down, rise up! Who is lost, fight! Who has recognized his situation how can he be stopped? For the defeated of today are the victors of tomorrow and out of Never will be: Today still!”
“Lob des Lernens”: “Learn the simplest things. It is never too late for those whose time has come. Learn the ABC, it is not enough, but learn it. Don’t be annoyed. Start. You must know everything. You must take the lead.”
The Kampf und Sieg der revolutionären deutschen Arbeiterklasse, a powerful symbol, invites reflection. It prompts us to consider the ever-changing tides of history. It also encourages us to think about the enduring human spirit.