Karl Marx grave memorial vandalized in London

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON

The tomb of German philosopher and the number one ideologist of communism Karl Marx has been vandalized in London, a statement from Highgate Cemetery said Tuesday.

A cemetery spokesman said they believe the attack was carried out within the last couple of days.

The attack caused damage on the marble, which was taken from the original 1880 grave, which was moved to a prominent spot in 1956.

A pipe bomb had damaged the part of the face of Marx’s bust attached to the grave, which also saw attacks with graffiti and paint bombs.

German philosopher Marx moved to London in 1849 and lived in the British capital for the rest of his life in exile.

He died on March 14, 1883, when he was 64-years-old.

“It’s battle-scarred and has all the marks of a rich and varied life,” said Ian Dungavell, chief executive of the Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust.

“It’s not irreparable but it will never be the same again.”

The tomb is a Grade I-listed monument, meaning it is under protection as a heritage asset.

Marx is known as the father of communism ideology and known with his Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital (Capital).