For many years now Leipzig has maintained a lively tradition of commemorating the momentous "Autumn of 89". The programme highlights centred around 9 October include the traditional Prayers for Peace and the Speech on Democracy.
Since , the element of light has also played a major role β that year and in , Leipzig's Tourism and Marketing Agency initiated a 'Night of Candles'. In the Peaceful Revolution was commemorated for the first time by Festival of Lights. As early as peace activists, environmental campaigners and human rights groups began to organise regular prayers for peace in the Church of St Nicholas, the starting point for the Monday Demonstrations in September After Monday prayers on 9 October more than 70, people assembled here.
To mark this occasion, the traditional Prayers for Peace is held annually on 9 October. The speech is given by leading figures who have made a contribution to the cause of democracy in Europe. The decisive day of the Peaceful Revolution was They made history with their courage, indomitable will and rejection of the use of force and inspiring pictures of the Monday Demonstrations in the autumn of went right round the world β determined people demanding fundamental democratic rights in a fossilised society.
The second half of the 20th century in Europe was defined by the division of the continent. The democratic states of Western Europe were confronted by communist regimes under the dominating leadership of the Soviet Union, although in Central and Eastern Europe there was ongoing resistance to this dictatorship.
Memorable examples of this resistance were the popular uprising in East Germany on June 17, , the violently suppressed Hungarian revolution, the Workers' Uprising in Posen and the failed Prague Spring of to name just a few. In Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and the Baltic States - people took to the streets to stand up for freedom and democracy.
