"Plauen played an important role in the Wende. As in Leipzig and Dresden, people were very quick to take to the streets and showed a great willingness to take risks. And so it was that on 7 October 1989, the 40th anniversary of the German Democratic Republic, the first big demonstration took place here: 40,000 demonstrators refused to let the water cannons stop them from pressing for reforms. Being a border region, Vogtland had suffered more than most places from the division of Germany. Consequently, people were absolutely determined to force a change. Now, Vogtland is once again in the heart of Germany.
On 10 November 1989, East German citizens were granted the right to travel to the Federal Republic. As of 24 December 1989, West German citizens were no longer required to get a visa and exchange a minimum sum of money before entering East Germany. That day, when the first visitors arrived in Plauen, they were greeted by music and elated crowds."
Rudof Bartsch (Plauen, born 1934)
