Karl Wilhelm Fricke Prize: Application phase started
The Karl Wilhelm Fricke Prize is awarded annually for outstanding commitment to freedom, democracy and civil courage. Proposals can now be submitted for 2025.
News zu #GDR
New permanent exhibition opened at Torgau youth work camp
Thousands of young people who were labeled as difficult in the GDR ended up in the Jugendwerkhof in Torgau. They were to be re-educated. A new exhibition commemorates their history.
Germany's longest-serving children's television character turns 65
What do the green arrow at the traffic lights, the Halloren balls and the Sandman have in common? They all survived the long-defunct GDR. The Sandman is now celebrating a special birthday.
The Sandman receives hundreds of letters
Elin (5) has painted the Sandman in the colors light blue, pink and purple, Matteo (6) with a dragon in his hand. The Sandman receives hundreds of pictures from kids every year.
Provenance research in East German museums: expropriated exhibits from the GDR era
Exhibits that originate from Nazi-looted art or were captured during colonialism: The origin of exhibits is increasingly becoming the focus of attention. Researchers are also investigating the past of the East.
Florian David Fitz is narrator in Sandmännchen short film
The Sandman will soon be 65 years old. A short film featuring the popular character has been produced for the first time in over 30 years to mark his birthday.
"Did many things right": Coaching legend Geyer turns 80
As a coach, Eduard Geyer motivated the remaining players of the GDR national team, in Cottbus he renounced German support. The legend is now celebrating his 80th birthday.
Show about GDR isolation camps at Augustusburg Castle
In the event of a crisis, the Stasi wanted to intern GDR enemies from Germany and abroad in castles that were used as youth hostels. The plans for this are largely unknown - until now.
"Moritz in the advertising pillar" - Christa Kożik is honored
Christa Kożik's children's book "Moritz in der Litfaßsäule" was filmed by DEFA in 1983 - and was a box-office hit in the GDR. The author is now being honored.
Co-inventor of the GDR television show 'Ein Kessel Buntes' Evelin Matt dies
She helped create one of the most popular programs on GDR television: Evelin Matt. Now the television producer has died. This has not only caused great sadness among her companions.
Chancellor Scholz speaks at the ceremony on October 9
Every year, the city of Leipzig commemorates October 9, 1989, one of the milestones of the peaceful revolution. This year, the Federal Chancellor is expected to attend the celebrations.
Saxony's Prime Minister Kretschmer meets East German acting legend Gojko Mitić
Michael Kretschmer meets Gojko Mitić, an East German acting legend, at the inauguration of a sandstone stele for the film 'The Sons of the Great Bear' in Rathen on May 19.
Königstein Fortress opens GDR bunker to the public
Königstein Fortress opens long-closed GDR bunker to visitors to experience the history of the Cold War up close. Premiere on Good Friday.
Goosebumps in the nuclear bunker: Königstein Fortress presents immersive history experience
The Königstein Fortress in Saxon Switzerland offers an impressive historical experience with new productions, including the old GDR nuclear bunker.
The Trabant comes back to life as a classic car
The Trabant, once ridiculed as a "plastic bomber", becomes a lucrative investment object with rising prices on the market.
Peter Smalun - a tribute: the life and work of an industrial designer
Exhibition on the life and work of GDR designer Peter Smalun at Leuchtenburg Castle in Seitenroda, Thuringia.
Saxony's Minister of Social Affairs criticizes GDR comparison by Prime Minister Kretschmer
Saxony's Social Affairs Minister Köpping (SPD) has described Prime Minister Kretschmer's comparison with the GDR as inappropriate.
Biermann releases album with cover versions
The singer-songwriter and GDR dissident Wolf Biermann (87) has invited numerous artists to record an album with cover versions of his songs. "Wolf Biermann Re:imagined - Lieder für jetzt!" is due to be released on November 15 to mark Biermann's 88th birthday.The first song, "Ermutigung" in a version ..
Billion-euro burden for East German federal states due to additional and special pensions from the GDR
In 2023, the East German federal states raised around 2.68 billion euros for supplementary and special pensions from the GDR.
GDR adventure pool SEZ in Berlin to be demolished
The former sports and recreation center (SEZ) in Berlin, the GDR's flagship adventure pool, is to be demolished. According to the current development plan, around 500 apartments and a new school are to be built on the site. "The implementation of the development plan will require the demolition of t ..
Unity Monument at risk: 2.5 million euros in additional funding
The completion of the Freedom and Unity Monument in Berlin is at risk without additional federal funding, according to the general contractor. According to information from Friday, the Stuttgart office of Milla & Partner has asked the Federal Institute for Building and Regional Planning, which i ..
Cinematographer Christian Lehmann died
Christian Lehmann, well-known cameraman of Defa documentaries, has died at the age of 89.
Actor and journalist Lutz Riemann died
Actor and journalist Lutz Riemann has died at the age of 82.
Still around 30,000 requests for access to Stasi files per year
More than three decades after German reunification, some 30,000 requests for access to Stasi files are still made each year, according to a report by the Federal Archives.
GDR songwriter Dieter Schneider dies at 86
The GDR songwriter Dieter Schneider has died at the age of 86. Schneider wrote over 3,000 song lyrics, including for well-known GDR pop stars. He was also television editor of the program 'Ein Kessel Buntes'.
"It's boiling in the country": ARD film seeks explanations in the East
A few months ago, ARD journalist Jessy Wellmer already showed the special view of East Germans. Now she was on the road again for the film "Listen to us! We East Germans and the West".
Jewish Museum Berlin shows GDR as "Another Country
Life in the eight Jewish communities of the GDR is the focus of the exhibition "Another Country. Jewish in the GDR" at the Jewish Museum Berlin. Starting Friday and running through Jan. 14, the exhibition will feature personal objects from contemporary witnesses and their descendants about Jewish ex ..