Marx-Engles Monument, Berlin, Germany

Marx-Engels-Forum is a public park in the central Mitte district of Berlin, the capital of Germany. It is named for Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, authors of The Communist Manifesto of 1848 and regarded as the founders of the socialist movement. The park was created by the authorities of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1986.

This postcard shows the sculpture by Engelhardt within the park of larger-than-life bronze figures of Marx (sitting) and Engels (standing).  Behind the statues is a relief wall showing scenes from the history of the German socialist movement (blocked by the monument in the postcard). The building behind is the former Palast der Republik (the seat of the East German Parliament).

After German reunification in 1990, the future of the Marx-Engels Forum became the subject of public controversy. Some Berliners saw the Forum as an unwanted relic of a defunct regime which they opposed, and argued for the removal of the statues and renaming of the park. Others argued that the site had both artistic and historical significance, and should be preserved. The latter view eventually prevailed. The statues are now a tourist attraction, and a steady stream of people sit on Marx's knee to have their photos taken.

I received this postcard from Torsten Berner.