I Killed the King With My Lies

..June 2014.. ..Leipzig..

Pastor Christian Führer passed away earlier today in Leipzig, Germany. He was the organizer of the Monday Demonstrations in Leipzig which was the catalyst for the fall of the East German Socialist regime. During the autumn of 1989 millions of disgruntled East German citizens marched peacefully every Monday night to voice their displeasure demanding more civil rights such as freedom of speech and travel, economic reform and democratic elections.

All this was started by an ordinary man who believed that citizens had the right to publicly voice their opinions.

I photographed Pastor Führer at the Nikolakirche in April 2013. He was wearing his customary denim jacket which he wore during the Wende. I have photographed extraordinary people but never has light reflected on someone as regally than on Pastor Fuhrer.

My translator, Leonie, and I had the honor of spending three hours listening to his recollections about the Wende. He was a wonderful man who was at the epicenter of change in Germany and Europe. More credit should be given to individuals like Pastor Führer who did their little parts to make momentous changes in the way millions of people presently live their lives.