Dr. Liza Soutschek – Scientific Associate Exhibitions
Liza Soutschek studied history in Munich and then worked as a doctoral candidate at the Institute of Contemporary History. In her dissertation, which was published as a book last summer, she sheds light on cooperation and competition in German-German science during the Cold War. After previously gaining insights into museum work at the Haus der Bayerischen Geschichte, among other places, she moved to Berlin in 2022 and worked for two years as a research volunteer at the Museum in der Kulturbrauerei and the Tränenpalast. In the course of preparing the exhibition »Heavy Metal in the GDR«, she immersed herself in the world of bands and fans as well as the history of music and youth culture in the GDR. Most recently, Liza Soutschek gained experience as a management consultant and joined the exhibition team at the DDR Museum in December 2024.
What are your tasks at the DDR Museum?
I have been working as a research assistant in the exhibition team since December 2024. Together with exhibition manager Sören Marotz, I develop the new special exhibitions and look after the permanent exhibition. My tasks range from procuring individual exhibits to revising entire sections. I also oversee the DDR Museum's events programme: at least once a month, we invite exciting guests to join us to shed light on topics relating to the history of the GDR and the period of transformation since 1989/90.
What do you particularly like about your job?
I particularly like the fact that the tasks are so varied. In the morning, for example, I immerse myself in books and research content for an exhibition text, in the afternoon I go in search of a special object and in the evening I host an event with an exciting guest. This is what a typical day might look like..
Do you have a personal connection to the GDR?
I have no personal connection to the GDR, but I have studied the history of the GDR intensively as part of my doctorate. My dissertation is about the history of German-German science during the Cold War, and I got to know a number of interesting contemporary witnesses. I then came to the everyday history of the GDR through my work in museums; the objects of everyday life tell us an incredible amount about the past and can bring time to life.
If you could take something from the DDR Museum's collection home with you, what would it be?
I really like Renate Müller's plucked animals. In the GDR they were in almost every kindergarten, today they are even sold in New York.
Welches Buch liest du gerade und warum?
I'm currently reading Angela Merkel's biography, which is quite a tome. I find her memories of the last year of the GDR between 9 November 1989 and 3 October 1990 particularly interesting, when so much changed, and not just in East Germany.
How do you spend your lunch breaks?
I like to go outside during my lunch break to get away from my desk for a bit. There's always something going on around the Museum Island, right by the Spree in summer you feel like you're on holiday.
What is your favourite part of the permanent exhibition?
My favourite place in the permanent exhibition is the children's room, there is so much to discover here! As part of an exhibition project, I focussed on pop and youth culture in the GDR. I think this topic is a particularly good way to capture the many facets of everyday life in the GDR, the constraints of the system as well as the creativity and inventiveness of young people.
What did you want to be when you were little?
As a child, I wanted to be an archaeologist, which I thought would be very exciting. But working in a museum was also always a dream of mine. Fortunately, as a historian I can combine my interest in history with my work.
What interests do you have outside of work?
Having only moved to Berlin almost three years ago, I love exploring the city in my free time. Berlin has so much to offer and I really enjoy discovering the individual neighbourhoods and their special features.
If you had an extra hour a day, what would you do with it?
I would use an extra hour a day to talk more on the phone to my family and friends who aren't in Berlin.
