The Lenin statue in Riesa is one of the few large Lenin monuments still standing in Germany. The bronze figure once stood in the center of the city, where it became a symbol of the DDR and its friendship with the Soviet Union. Today, Lenin has a very different setting.

The Lenin monument quickly became an important political meeting place. Wreaths were laid here on Lenin’s birthday, Soviet Army Day, Republic Day, and 7 November, the anniversary of the October Revolution. The statue was also used during ceremonies for young people joining the Young Pioneers. Newly married couples sometimes placed their wedding bouquets at the monument.

A gift from Ukraine

The statue was made by Soviet sculptor Nikolai Tomski (1900–1984). It shows Lenin standing on a granite pedestal and is about 3.5 meters high. Riesa received the monument in 1975. It was a gift from the Nikopol Steel and Rolling Mill in Ukraine, which was a partner factory of the Riesa steelworks. The statue was unveiled on 24 April 1975.

Its location was important. It stood directly in front of Riesa’s town hall, on what was then called Leninplatz. The square had already played a role in local history. In November 1918, Riesa’s Workers’ and Soldiers’ Council was elected there during the German Revolution.

Moved after German reunification

After the fall of the DDR, the meaning of the statue changed completely. In June 1991, the city removed Lenin from the town center. Instead of destroying the monument, Riesa moved it to a site beside the Soviet military cemetery on Poppitzer Straße. This decision saved the statue but also removed it from the center of everyday city life.

The statue still stands there today. The site is now known as the Poppitzer Dreieck. The pedestal carries the simple inscription: “W. I. Lenin, 1870–1924.”

A monument with a new meaning

The future of the statue was debated after its removal. Some people wanted it gone, while others saw it as an important historical object.

A group of students from the Werner-Heisenberg-Gymnasium researched its history and prepared an information panel. The panel explains both Lenin’s role and the history of the monument in Riesa.

The debate shows how the meaning of old monuments can change. The statue once celebrated Lenin and socialism. Today, it also tells the story of the DDR and the changes that followed German reunification.