Emperor Wilhelm I. is enthroned several meters high on his horse in the middle of Stuttgarter Platz. But there is not much to see from the still image in the coming days. Because the figure of the monarch with the spiked helmet is considered more and more controversial by historians.
Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) – Artists have covered the monument to Kaiser Wilhelm I on the central Karlsplatz in Stuttgart with a red cloth. The reason: according to the organizers, as the emperor of the founding of the empire, Wilhelm I was associated with the beginning of nationalism and the subsequent colonization by the German Reich. You can see it from different perspectives, said Linda Addae, who works in the cultural office in Stuttgart. There will also be an information board for the monument, which has not been commented on so far.
The equestrian statue was unveiled ten years after the death of Wilhelm I (1797-1888) to declare Württemberg’s affiliation with the German Reich. It has repeatedly been at the center of debates in recent years, and a color attack has already been carried out on the monarch. In addition to the cultural office, several organizers of the upcoming Catholic Day commissioned the art collective ReCollect to put the monument in an artistic context.
During the Christian meeting from this Wednesday to Sunday, Catholic aid organizations and those involved in the world church will meet on Karlsplatz, among others. The art action is entitled “DenkMal Nach”. “We cannot and do not want to just leave the statue there without a word,” the art collective explained about the project.
