Suche
Mein Konto
Art freedom in Döbeln: Arabic letters removed from boots!
Döbeln removes Arabic letters from boot sculpture after artists protest. Boot parade celebrates 100 years of giant boots.
Art freedom in Döbeln: Arabic letters removed from boots!
There's something going on in Döbeln again! The neighborhood boot number ten in the boot parade, which stands in front of the Book Oasis and the Harmony Organic Market on Ritterstrasse, had to be temporarily dismantled. The reason for this was a redesign that painted over the Arabic letters. These letters together formed the word “boots” and were intended to symbolize the bond between the two artists Rasha Abu Zayed from the Gaza Strip and Ralph Kapitzky from Waldheim. Mayor Sven Liebhauser justified the intervention by noting that the finished work of art did not correspond to the approved draft, which caused a lack of understanding. The boot was returned on Tuesday after being redesigned and now boasts large Artheriè lettering and colorful German letters above the word “Stiefel”.
The interference with artistic freedom has sparked criticism. Sven Rockstroh, operator of the Artheriè gallery, was outraged by the changes. “This is a clear breach of contract!” Mayor Liebhauser also commented on the situation. Ralph Kapitzky, on the other hand, emphasized that there was no political message behind the Arabic letters. There are QR codes on the boots that provide interesting information about the artworks.
The 100th birthday boot parade
The boot parade was launched to mark the 100th anniversary of the Döbelner giant boot and has quickly become a highlight in the city. The city offensive “Off to the middle!” Döbeln supports this project, which is called “BOOT PARADE for a PARADE BOOT – A giant turns 100”. In November 2024, Döbeln was awarded first prize out of 46 project ideas submitted by 42 Saxon municipalities for creative idea generation. The associated sum of 60,000 euros was presented on May 8, 2025 by Thomas Kralinski, State Secretary in the State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labor, Energy and Climate Protection.
Mayor Sven Liebhauser was very grateful for the financial injection, which enabled the major projects to be implemented quickly. As part of the boot parade, 12 replicas of the giant boot, each 2.50 meters high, will be created. These are to be designed by local artists, citizens and local companies. While ten boots will be set up in Döbeln's city center over the course of the year, the first boot, the Reading Boots, will be unveiled on May 9, 2025 at Döbeln's Lutherplatz. The ceremonial unveiling takes place as part of the children's and reading festival in the city library and marks the start of the second Döbelner Kulturnacht.
The city is looking forward to an exciting time full of creative works of art and cultural events, although some challenges such as interference with artistic freedom still need to be overcome. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop further.