- The emblem of the tranquil uprising has ceased to exist.
Friedrich Schorlemer, a theologian from Wittenberge, recently passed away at the ripe age of 80. This information was shared by former Saxony-Anhalt culture minister Stephan Dorgerloh to the German Press Agency. Schorlemer and Dorgerloh had a close working relationship. Notably, Schorlemer was a prominent critic of the regime in the DDR. On November 4, 1989, during a mass demonstration at Berlin's Alexanderplatz, Schorlemer, an advocate for non-violence, made history with his speech.
Reminiscing about the past, Just like once before in the DDR. On September 24, 1983, a blacksmith in Wittenberge transformed a sword into a plowshare. At that time, Schorlemer was a castle church preacher and a co-organizer of this brave action. The phrase "Swords into Plowshares" became a cornerstone of the Christian-inspired GDR peace movement.
Lens of the Stasi's Watchful Eye
Saxony's Deputy Prime Minister Martin Dulig (SPD) recalled this incident recently. This blacksmith action in Wittenberge significantly boosted Schorlemer's international reputation, Dulig noted on Tuesday after Schorlemer's death. "Schorlemer was more than just a wise Social Democrat from Wittenberg for me. He was also the theologian who played a pivotal role in the peaceful revolution of 1989. Schorlemer was always a sound advisor - his thoughtful, wise influences will be greatly missed in these politically turbulent times," Dulig stated.
Schorlemer was born on May 16, 1944, in Wittenberge (Brandenburg). In the DDR, he faced repression - he was denied the opportunity to take his Abitur at school and had to complete it through evening school. He then proceeded with theology studies at the University of Halle. With peaceful protests and non-violent resistance, such as during the Soviet troop invasion of Czechoslovakia, he attracted the attention of the state security.
Friedrich Schorlemer: "Democracy is like a flowerbed"
During the peaceful revolution, Schorlemer was among the founders of the "Democratic Awakening", joined the SPD in 1990, and also served in the Wittenberg city council. "Democracy is like a flowerbed, if you don't tend to it, it becomes overgrown very quickly," he once said. In recognition of his relentless dedication, the city of Wittenberg honored him with the title of Honorary Citizen on October 3, 2015. At that time, the Left politician Gregor Gysi remarked about him: "He is absolutely incorruptible, uncomfortable, critical, and never stops."
Even in retirement, the peace prize winner and author of numerous books continued to advocate for democracy and condemn xenophobia. He was a key initiator of the "Foundation for the Peaceful Revolution" in Leipzig. The theologian was never afraid to voice his opinions to the powerful. He publicly criticized Federal President Joachim Gauck, a fellow civil rights activist at the end of the DDR, for his stance on the deployment of the Bundeswehr abroad. Looking back, he once said: "My life was in many ways not easy, but it was rich."
In his theological studies at the University of Halle, Friedrich Schorlemer's peaceful protests and non-violent resistance caught the attention of the state security due to its alignment with the Christian religion. Reflecting on Schorlemer's contributions, Saxony's Deputy Prime Minister Martin Dulig praised him as the theologian who played a pivotal role in the peaceful revolution of 1989.
