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Boom or bubble? Leipzig's fascinating transformation in the crosshairs of the future!
Find out how Leipzig's transformation from a crisis-ridden city to a booming metropolis took place over the last 35 years.
Boom or bubble? Leipzig's fascinating transformation in the crosshairs of the future!
Leipzig, the dynamic metropolis in the heart of Saxony, has undergone remarkable development over the last 35 years, which is impressively captured in the documentary “Boom Boom Leipzig”. The film, which is commented on by Leipzig natives Mike Hoffmann (cabaret artist) and Thomas Seyde (psychologist), illuminates the transformation of this city from a dilapidated place with failed visions to a booming and cosmopolitan city. MDR reports that the city particularly attracts young people and is considered liberal.
The film is divided into four chapters and addresses, among other things, the myth of the boomtown and the challenges facing Leipzig. Younger city residents such as actress Mai Duong Kieu and author Greta Taubert talk about their personal experiences in this up-and-coming city. The change that Leipzig has experienced in recent decades is supported by contemporary witnesses who have their stories to tell - such as Michael Kölmel, who talks about the renovation of the central stadium, and Ludwig Koehne, who has become the world market leader in the railway crane sector with his company Kirow.
About the transformation
Leipzig's development was not always all sunshine and roses. After reunification, the city experienced a massive population decline of around 100,000 people, a fifth of the population at the time. The Plagwitz industrial district in particular was in a desolate condition, which the then chief architect Dietmar Fischer painted in gloomy colors: “Living there was not possible in the long term.” Despite these adverse circumstances, Leipzig was perceived as a “city of change” and attracted investors who invested over ten billion euros in renovation and infrastructure. MDR emphasizes that Leipzig has mutated into a service, media and research location.
Since then, art and culture have experienced an enormous boom in the city. Young people particularly enjoyed the open spaces and creative freedom that Leipzig offers. This led to the opening of numerous cinemas and galleries, and the oversupply of renovated apartments made the city a true tenant's paradise.
The context of the Peaceful Revolution
This remarkable development is also inextricably linked to the history of Leipzig. The city played a central role during the Peaceful Revolution, which led to profound change in the GDR in 1989 and ultimately to the reunification of Germany. Wikipedia explains that comparatively small peace prayers in St. Nicholas Church in 1982 laid the foundation for impressive protest movements. These culminated in the legendary demonstration on October 9, 1989, in which between 70,000 and 100,000 people took part - a decisive turning point.
Whether the city today actually has a special mix of successful and crazy visions remains an exciting question. The film not only establishes where Leipzig stands today, but also looks to the future and highlights the challenges that the city must continue to overcome.
Leipzig is undeterred on its growth path and remains a symbol of the renewal and dynamism that many cities in Germany strive for. Let's be excited to see how the story of this fascinating city will continue to unfold.