Blog

Topic filter
ddr-museum-null-euro-souvenirschein-auflage-11-frieden-einheit-planerfuellung.jpg

The 11th edition of the 0-euro souvenir banknote – Peace, unity, plan fulfilment

The new 0-euro souvenir banknote from the DDR Museum brings together historical motifs from different decades of the GDR. This blog post explores the stories behind the words »Peace – unity – plan fulfilment« and the female flag-bearer, and what they reveal about the portrayal of women in the GDR. Read more
ddr-museum-blog-spaziergang-ddr-orte-thumb.jpg

10 GDR sites in Berlin-Mitte – A walk around the DDR Museum

This walk connects ten historic sites in Berlin-Mitte and brings their history to life within today’s cityscape. The starting point is the DDR Museum – from there, we set off on foot in search of traces of the past. Read more
ddr-museum-team-emily-blog.jpg
10 questions to...

Émily Winter – Trainee Social Media & Content

We are delighted to introduce Émily Winter from our social media team. Émily has been a trainee at the DDR Museum since August and answered 10 questions for us. Read more
ddr-museum-blog-design-sitzei-kaengeruhstuhl.jpg

Kangaroo Chair and Garden Egg – Plastic furniture in the GDR

The Kangaroo Chair and Garden Egg reveal a lesser-known side of furniture production in the GDR. This blog post explores how modern plastic furniture emerged at the intersection of everyday life in the GDR, the export economy and international design. Read more
ddr-museum-blog-spaziergang-ddr-orte-soho-haus-der-einheit.jpg

Soho House Berlin – The long-forgotten »House of Unity«

The blog post explores the varied history of the building that is now home to Soho House Berlin, from the Weimar Republic to the post-war period. Read more
ddr-museum-wartburg-353-deluxe.jpg

The Wartburg 353 – A mid-range car in the GDR

The article tells the story of the Wartburg 353, from its role as the GDR’s modern mid-range car to the late introduction of the Wartburg 1.3 and the end of production in 1991. It also features an example from our collection. Read more
20-jahre-danke-13.jpg

20 Years of the DDR Museum – An unforgettable Birthday Party

In this article, we look back at the DDR Museum's 20th anniversary celebration, share the highlights in a photo gallery, and provide links to the artefacts featured in our DDR quiz. Read more
ddr-museum-blog-sonderausstellung-ein-land-im-container-vitrine.jpg

A Country in a Container – The Disposal of East German State Symbols

On the night of 2 October 1990, the GDR – and with it its state symbols – ceased to exist. This special exhibition examines their legacy and explores how these relics continue to shape our memories to this day. Read more
ddr-museum-blog-ernst-thaelmann-denkmal-berlin-thumb.jpg

The colossus in the park – The Thälmann monument in Berlin

This episode of »Orte Ost« (Places of East Germany) visits the controversial Ernst Thälmann monument in Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg district and explores Thälmann, his history and his role in the culture of remembrance. Read more
ddr-museum-blog-kombifuehrung-partei-staat-thumb-.jpg

Combined leadership of »party and state«: On the trail of power

Who made political decisions in the GDR – and who implemented them? The combined exhibition »Party and State« at the GDR Museum and in urban spaces shows the close connection between the SED and the state apparatus. Read more
ddr-museum-blog-plakate-propaganda-pdr-plakatwand-ausstellung.jpg

Propaganda posters – everyday companions in public spaces in the GDR

The section of the exhibition on propaganda in the GDR focuses on propaganda posters. It shows how visual agitation shaped public space and what messages the state used to influence people's thinking and everyday life. Read more
ddr-museum-sonderausstellungen-aufbruch-nach-utopia-zukunftsvisionen-aus-der-ddr.jpg

Departure for Utopia – Visions of the future from the GDR

The special exhibition »Departure for Utopia – Visions of the Future from the GDR« focused on the socialist belief in progress, technology, and a better future. This blog post provides a summary review. Read more
ddr-museum-blog-lenin-in-der-ddr.jpg

Lenin and his retrospective assessment in the GDR

Although Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, better known by his nom de guerre Lenin, died in 1924, his theories and actions had a decisive influence on the GDR and its development. Read more
ddr-museum-ausstellung-oekonomie-des-mangels-fernseher.jpg

The economy of scarcity, or what was available to buy in the GDR

The new exhibition area at the DDR Museum shows why money was not everything in the GDR and how the socialist planned economy affected people's everyday lives. Read more
ddr-museum-blog-liebe-sex-sozialismus-thumb.jpg

Love, Sex and Socialism

How did people love in the GDR – politically, privately, physically? The blog looks at grand gestures ranging from brotherly kisses to love letters, while also offering a concise review of the successful special exhibition on the theme of love. Read more
ddr-museum-blog-stasi-akten-bstu.jpg

From scraps of paper to mountains of files – the long aftermath of the Stasi files

The Stasi files remain a symbol of the SED dictatorship’s surveillance. How they are managed continues to shape how GDR history is reappraised. This blog explores the long and difficult process of confronting this legacy Read more
ddr-museum-blog-parteitisch-thumb.jpg

The party table as a symbol of power

The blog post highlights the party table as a central symbol of power in the GDR. It shows how hierarchies, ideology and bureaucracy were structured at the level of political functionaries. Using the original object from our exhibition, the logic of the GDR's state structure becomes comprehensible. Read more
ddr-museum-blog-kombifuehrung-karl-marx-allee.jpg

Combined tour of »Karl-Marx-Allee«: From prefabricated buildings to workers' palaces

Karl-Marx-Allee, one of East Berlin’s most iconic streets, showcases socialist urban planning. A combined tour explores the GDR’s architecture, daily life, and culture. Read more
ddr-museum-blog-panzer-am-checkpoint-charlie-thumb.jpg

Tanks at Checkpoint Charlie – The Cold War in October 1961

In October 1961, tanks faced each other at Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin. The standoff became a symbol of the Cold War and the threat of a third world war. Read more
ddr-museum-blog-sonderausstellungen-friedensstaat-ddr-thumb.jpg

The GDR as a peaceful state – aspiration and reality

The GDR's claim to be a peaceful state stood in stark contrast to the reality of a highly militarised society. This was also illustrated by our special exhibition »The GDR as a peaceful state – aspiration and reality«. Read more