Latest events at the DDR Museum

An independent private gallery amidst socialism? A free space for new art forms far away from the socialist realism? Exhibitions from critical artists from the East and West? Contacts with prohibited artists from East Europe? Independent graphics editions under the eyes of the almighty censorship? In fact, all of this existed in the 70s in the Dunckerstreet 17 in Prenzlauer Berg. The psychologist Schweinebraden made it possible against all odds. The authorities answered with harassment. In 1980, the Stasi tightened the noose eventually and expelled the gallery owner from the country. The legend and message remained: Dare! Then everything is possible! Today, Jürgen Schweinebraden lives in Hesse as free gallery owner and publicist. He wrote down his experiences in two books and tells about them in a presentation, using photographs and documents.

In almost every break at work and more than ever at every cosy get-together at the cafés and taverns the latest political jokes were told. They often revealed the factitiousness of the state propaganda for a split second. The joke was the weapon of the defenceless people against an overly powerful regime. But the joke was also psychic easing and stress relief. After everyone had laughed together at the staff canteen, the daily grind continued at the workplace or at the party meeting. Annika Bunse presents the internet project of the Berliner Morgenpost that she also worked on and discusses the function of the political joke in the “closed society”.

The only constant amusement park in the GDR was opened in 1969 on the 20th anniversary of the GDR as nationally-owned company cultural park Plänterwald. In the evenings, the huge big wheel shone on the eastern urban districts of Berlin. The visitors flocked in crowds to the park. Supposedly, there were almost two millions a year. This is where you were able to forget your daily routine, ride on a ghost train and lick candy floss. The drop came with the turnaround. The terrain fell into the hands of speculators and is today an abandoned landscape with savaged constructions and rotten attractions. Christopher Flade, the best expert of the cultural park’s history, is tour guide there and put together a book rich in material. With lots of photographs during his presentation he brings this forgotten place back to life.