Revived in the west, neglected in the east: how Marx still divides GermanyThroughout the cold war, Karl Marx stood tall and proud in the centre of Neubrandenburg, a socialist model town in Germany’s north-east. But as dignitaries from around the world flock to the German philosopher, economist and revolutionary socialist’s birthplace in Trier on Saturday for his 200th birthday, the Neubrandenburg Marx will be snarling only at the ceiling of a warehouse on the outskirts of town. Going back to Marx allows us to recognise this condition from the outside.”Facebook Twitter Pinterest The Neubrandenburg mayor, Silvio Witt, with the statue of Marx that used to stand in the city. Facebook Twitter Pinterest The sculpture of Marx lies on a pavement in Neubrandenburg, awaiting a decision on its future. “What citizens in the GDR knew was Marx through the rigid prism of Lenin, Stalin or [the former East German head of state Walter] Ulbricht.

Source: The Guardian May 04, 2018 11:37 UTC