CRI听力:Karl Marx's hometown rolls out events to mark bicentenary

A statue of Karl Marx, a gift from China, has been officially unveiled in his hometown of Trier in Germany.

The gift comes as part of the commemorative events now underway to mark the bicentenary of the birth of the philosopher.

A major exhibition is now being held in the city of Trier to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Karl Marx, who was born in Trier on May 5th, 1818. 

One of his most well-known works, "The Communist Manifesto," has provided guiding principles for the Communist movement around the world.

The five-month-long exhibition in his hometown is hosted by two museums in the city, the Rheinisches Landesmuseum and the City Museum Simeonstift.

Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about Marx's life story, his writings and the impact his theories have had on the world, so as to gain a broader understanding about the life of Marx.

"Most people may know that Marx was a great philosopher, or sociologist, or economist, or journalist. However, this is not enough information for people to really know Karl Marx. So we are presenting this exhibition called 'Karl Marx 1818 to 1883. Life. Works. Time. (Karl Marx 1818-1883. Leben. Werk. Zeit.) ' to the public," says Malu Dreyer, the governor of the state of Rheinland Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate), where Trier is located.

The exhibition at the Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier covers details about Marx's intellectual and political career, while the City Museum Simeonstift exhibition is focused on his personal life, including his relationships with his family and friends.

At the same time, the house where Marx was born has reopened to the public after an eight-month-long renovation. The house, now called the Karl Marx House Museum, is holding an exhibition focused primarily on the influence of Marx's legacy.

Meanwhile, a 5.5-meter-tall statue of Karl Marx, created by Chinese artist Wu Weishan, has been unveiled in Trier as part of the commemoration.

The schedule of events being held to mark the bicentenary of Marx's birth is quite busy.

"Apart from the big exhibitions, the city of Trier has made efforts to prepare more than 300 events, in order to help people learn about all the facets of Marx's life. The events include musical and drama performances, a tasting of wine produced by Marx's family and academic seminars at institutions such as the University of Trier (Universitat Trier) and Hochschule Trier," says Trier's Mayor Wolfram Leibe.

One of the visitors to Trier for these events is European Union Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, also an honorary citizen of Trier.

"Marx, as a great philosopher, once said that 'the philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways, but the point, however, is to change it.' What he interpreted and discovered, as well as the legacies he left to the world, including 'Das Kapital' and 'The Communist Manifesto,' have made great contributions in changing the world," says Juncker.

Marx passed away in London on March 14th, 1883, at the age of 64.