Völkerschlachtdenkmal hosts art installation in Leipzig

The Völkerschlachtdenkmal (Monument to the Battle of the Nations) in Leipzig is currently hosting a large-scale art installation titled ‘Mixed Feelings in Times of War’. Launched on September 1, coinciding with World Peace Day, the project features a massive white banner on the monument's facade reading: ‘STILLGESTANDEN? Rührt Euch!’ (Standing still? Move!).

Organized by the artist collective krudebude, the installation aims to address the uncertainty and unease caused by current global conflicts. Co-curator Nora Überhost described the monument as a ‘highly political place’ that is often subject to political appropriation. The artists intend to offer a quieter, more human perspective that focuses on individual feelings rather than combative rhetoric. The installation is scheduled to remain at the site until September 20.

The monument itself is a 91-meter-tall structure commemorating the 1813 defeat of Napoleon's forces by a coalition of Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Sweden. It serves as a significant landmark in Leipzig, designed to evoke the emotional weight of war, sacrifice, and national resistance.