Statue Karl Marx - Trier

The Karl Marx Statue is an imposing bronze sculpture unveiled on May 5, 2018 to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Karl Marx, the city's most famous son.

The statue, a gift from the People's Republic of China , was made by the Chinese sculptor Wu Weishan and is located on the Simeonstiftplatz , near the Porta Nigra and the former home of the Marx family.

The statue is 5.5 metres high , including the pedestal, a symbolic reference to Marx's date of birth on 5 May. Marx is depicted wearing a long coat, with a book under his left arm , taking a step forward. According to the artist, this symbolises his wisdom and the continuing relevance of his ideas. The pentagonal pedestal refers to five cities that were important in Marx's life: Trier, Berlin, Paris, London and Hamburg.

The gift of the statue by China sparked debates within Trier and beyond. Critics saw it as an attempt at political influence, while proponents saw it as a tribute to an important thinker. The city eventually decided to accept the gift, with the aim of stimulating a broader discussion of Marx and his ideas.

Willem Vandenameele