- The Garrison Church is Officially Opened, with Steinmeier Recognizing His Responsibilities
The newly constructed Garrison Church tower in Potsdam was officially launched with serious remarks from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, confronted by protests from adversaries. Steinmeier views the Garrison Church's tower as a stimulus for democracy. "Let's team up to prevent this area from becoming something it hasn't been for a long time: a democratic space," Steinmeier stated during the opening ceremony. "That's our historical duty. And that's our shared responsibility as a society."
On March 21, 1933, the newly formed Reichstag after the Nazi takeover was inaugurated within the church in Potsdam. This day came to be known as Potsdam's Day. Nazi leader Adolf Hitler shook hands with Reich President Paul von Hindenburg in front of the Garrison Church on that fateful day. "We categorically reject any attempt to deny German accountability or stigmatize our culture of remembrance as a cult of shame," declared the German President. "I specifically use the word 'we,'" Steinmeier, the project's patron, asserted.
Protesters shouted "Hypocrites!"
Opposing the church tower, the initiative "Potsdam Without the Garrison Church" voiced opposition with over 100 individuals, viewing it as a "symbol of terror." The chants of "hypocrites" reverberated within the church, reflecting the intricate dynamics.
"We're merely here to express our disapproval," said the initiative's spokesperson, Sara Krieg. A banner read, "Nazi church against the will of the citizens." The Christian Martin Niemöller Foundation's "Garrison Church Learning Site" also opposes the project.
The Protestant Bishop Christian Stäblein sees the tower as a warning against forgetting. "Those who are aware can learn from history, and that should certainly be the case here - a place that serves as a vigilant beacon for peace and democracy," Stäblein, the bishop of the Protestant Church Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Oberlausitz, stated. Those who oppose democracy and peace should not find a home there.
Potsdam's Mayor Mike Schubert (SPD) sees the church as a symbol of historical accountability. "Is there any other place in Germany so ideally suited to reflect German history and its influence on European history, adorned with its myriad facets, but especially marred by its numerous setbacks?"
There are no plans for the reconstruction of the church nave.
The military church from 1735 was destroyed during World War II. Its remnants were demolished by order of the DDR leadership in 1968. Work on the new tower, modeled after its historical design, began in 2017. The reconstruction of the church nave is not planned.
The church tower is situated near a data center built during the DDR era, which is now occupied by artists. A study will examine potential use concepts on the former church site. Surprisingly, the German President advocated for the preservation of the data center. "Both buildings must learn to coexist," Steinmeier stated.
Platzeck: No right-wing gathering site feared
The former Brandenburg Minister President Matthias Platzeck (SPD) does not share the critics' concerns about the church becoming a gathering place for right-wing extremists. "Those we're afraid of will not show up to witness peace work in progress," Platzeck informed the German Press Agency. And Potsdam will regain its heart with the Landtag, the synagogue, and the Garrison Church tower.
Prince Georg Friedrich Hohenzollern, the head of the Hohenzollern family, expressed his delight at the reconstruction. "Active dialogues about the church's significance should continue, especially about the horror of the 20th century and the Prussian history that preceded it," Hohenzollern told dpa.
Troubled Church
The Protestant Church aims to transform the new construction into a site for peace activities and democracy education. A display titled "Faith, Power, and Military" critically examines history. It delves into "Potsdam's Day," featuring the image of Hindenburg's handshake with Hitler, and explores the close relationship between the military and the church. Dissent is also highlighted.
The estimated construction costs, at around 42 million euros by the Garrison Church Foundation, are primarily funded by the federal government, contributing around 25 million euros. In 2022, the Federal Audit Office criticized that the previous funding was granted without sufficient evidence of the overall financing for the project.
From Friday, the tower will be open to tourists. The viewing platform at a height of 57 meters is anticipated to attract numerous visitors. The tower is not yet complete: a 30-meter high dome is scheduled to be added to the structure in 2026, raising it to Potsdam's tallest building at 90 meters.
The newly constructed Garrison Church tower's architecture is inspired by its historical design, as evident in the ongoing reconstruction efforts. Critics of the project, including the "Potsdam Without the Garrison Church" initiative and the Christian Martin Niemöller Foundation, view the tower as a symbol that contradicts the wishes of the city's inhabitants.
