Marx and Engels Forum

Forum of Marx and Engels. 2005. In the background, on the right, the Berlin Cathedral , on the left, the now demolished Palace of the Republic

The Marx and Engels Forum ( Marx-Engels Forum , German Marx-Engels-Forum ) is a sculptural ensemble in the Mitte region , built in the 1980s. It is located between Spänastrasse and Spree , not far from Berlin City Hall. Before the Second World War, residential and commercial buildings were located on the territory of the current location of Marx-Engels Forum, which were practically destroyed during the bombing during the war years and demolished after 1945. For the construction of the park, the remaining buildings were destroyed in the 1970s.

After a long period of preparation and repeated discussions, the monument was opened on April 4, 1986. It was designed by sculptor Ludwig Engelhardt, who since 1977 has been the artistic director of the project. The main part of the ensemble is a sculpture of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels (height: 3.85 m). Behind it is the relief wall of Werner Stoetzer of Bulgarian marble. On the opposite side of the square are placed the bronze reliefs of Margret Middell, with scenes from life in a liberated society. Between them there are four-sided, flat pillars in a curve with photos of labor history, the works of the following authors: Arno Fischer, Peter Voight, Norbert Blum , Hans Guthayl, Jürgen Fraenkel, Günther Köhler and Friedrich Nöstitz.

After the reunification of Germany and Berlin in 1990, bitter discussions arose around the Marx and Engels Forum about the need to preserve it, as well as the nearby Palace of the Republic .

Marx and Engels Forum at the new location, 2012

Currently, in connection with the construction work on the extension of the U5 line of the Berlin Underground , the sculpture complex is shifted to the corner of the park.