Leipzig Every October 9th, light fest

Every October 9th, in commemoration of a peaceful freedom march that occurred on that date in 1989 in East Germany, the city of Leipzig celebrates its Festival of Lights.

The festival begins at 5 p.m. with a prayer for peace at St. Nicholas Church in the city center, followed by three “speeches on democracy” given by representatives from the three branches of Germany’s government. Participants then create a “sea of candles” as they walk three blocks to the Augustusplatz, where they can watch performing artists and videos documenting the first event in 1989. 

The Berlin Wall came down on Nov. 9, 1989.