Blog :: DDR Museum

22 Jun 2022

The allotment garden was common and extremely popular in the GDR under the Russian name »dacha«. For many, the dacha became a place of private retreat and a source of sustenance, forming the centre of their lives.

From the collection

Children’s sewing machines from VEB Piko

Collection

13 Jun 2022

Children's sewing machines are the perfect way to introduce children to the art of sewing in a playful way. Smaller versions of conventional sewing machines are less complicated to use and allow children to have a lot of fun during their first sewing attempts.

GDR History

The way to adulthood: youth initiation ceremonies in the GDR

Topic DDR

23 May 2022

Most young people in the GDR were accepted into the adult world through the »Jugendweihe« or »youth initiation ceremony«. However, the history of these celebrations began long before this in the middle of the 19th century.

From the museum

Special exhibition »A nation and its heroes«

Museum news

26 Apr 2022

The special exhibition »A nation and its heroes – 25 tales from the DDR« in the foyer of the museum portrays well-known and unknown personalities whose deeds became part of the country's history.

GDR History

Local history lessons in GDR schools

Topic DDR

22 Apr 2022

The subject »Heimatkunde« was taught at schools in the GDR from years 2 to 5 and was intended to educate children on local history. However, the term was not an invention of the GDR. In this article, you can find out about what was taught in local history classes in the GDR. We also show you textbooks and exercise books from our collection.

GDR History

Lenin and his reflection in the GDR

Topic DDR

19 Apr 2022 by Jörn Kleinhardt

Although Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, better known by his fighting name Lenin, died in 1924, his Marxist theories in particular had a decisive influence on the GDR and its development.

GDR History

The Influence of Soviet Products and Culture on the GDR

Collection

8 Apr 2022 by Jörn Kleinhardt

The GDR emerged from the Soviet occupation zone in 1949 and had been closely related to and dependent on the »Big Brother« for the 40 years of its existence. So it is not surprising that everyday life and culture were influenced by Russian products. We present selected objects from our collection.

From the collection

»AKA ELECTRIC«: Household gadgets from the GDR

Collection

21 Mar 2022

To this day, many people are familiar with the various products of »AKA ELECTRIC« and even still use them. Smaller brands and companies were gathered under the umbrella brand until the end of the GDR. We show a selection of household gadgets from the collection of the DDR Museum.

History

Karl Marx and his influence in the GDR

Topic DDR

10 Mar 2022 by Jörn Kleinhardt

The philosopher and communist theorist Karl Marx (1818-1883) died long before the founding of the GDR, but his theses and ideas significantly influenced the socialist state as well as its ideology. This issue of the collection blog focuses on Marx's work and his impact on the GDR.

From the collection

The Leipzig Trade Fair

Collection

4 Mar 2022

The Leipzig Trade Fair is far older than the GDR could ever become. In GDR times, it took place annually in spring and autumn and put the Saxon city in a state of excitement. We show you an excerpt of the objects that promoted the fair location and the fair itself.

Relics of the GDR

»Sandman, dear Sandman...«

Relics of the DDR

17 Nov 2021 by Vanessa Jasmin Lemke

The Sandman is the evening companion of many children before bedtime. Since 1959, he has been taking them on adventures around the world and to faraway galaxies. The little man is one of the GDR inventions that continue to delight young and old to this day.

From the Museum

The »Bathroom« in the DDR Museum

Museum news

12 Nov 2021 by Vanessa Jasmin Lemke

Since 2016, visitors to the DDR Museum can have a look at an originally furnished prefabricated GDR flat of the type »WBS 70«. These flats promised great comfort in contrast to the old buildings. Living in the »Platte« from the 1970s onwards therefore also included having one's own bathroom, which can be seen recreated in the DDR Museum.

Shops and department stores in the GDR

»Centrum Warenhaus« and »Konsument«

Topic DDR

25 Oct 2021

In the 1960s, the department store chains »Konsument« and »Centrum Warenhaus« were established in the GDR. The two department stores were intended to satisfy the changing consumer needs of the population. Here we show you thematic objects from our collection.

From the collection

DEFA film classics

Collection

20 Oct 2021 by Jörn Kleinhardt

Over the years, the Deutsche Film AG, DEFA for short, has created numerous film classics. In this article we present a few selected films and show the accompanying film booklets from our collection.

From the collection

»Color picture books« from DEFA production

Collection

1 Oct 2021 by Melanie Alperstaedt

They are almost rarities of the GDR era: the coloured DEFA picture books. Also known as slide roll films, the picture books were widely distributed in East German homes from the 1950s to the end of the 1970s.

From the collection

The Berlin TV Tower

Collection

1 Oct 2021 by Vanessa Jasmin Lemke

At 368 metres, it is still the tallest building in Germany: the Berlin TV Tower. In this blog post, we present the history of this world-famous building, which was opened in the capital of the GDR on 3 October 1969, as well as objects from our collection on the subject.

From the collection

With distinction! Medals and decorations in the GDR

Collection

7 Sep 2021 by Jörn Kleinhardt

There was no stinginess with decorations and medals in the GDR. In fact, every field of society had its own awards. We present a small selection in this article.

History

Reaching for the Stars: The »Interkosmos« Programme of the Eastern Bloc

Collection

24 Aug 2021 by Jörn Kleinhardt

The »Interkosmos« programme of the then Soviet Union was intended to advance scientific research vis-à-vis the USA and also made it possible for other nations to fly into space. Sigmund Jähn was the first German to fly into space.

Collection

The Society for German-Soviet Friendship

Collection

27 Jul 2021 by Jörn Kleinhardt

The Society for German-Soviet Friendship (DSF) was the second largest mass organisation in the GDR and was intended to counteract the anti-Soviet attitude of the population after the end of the war. The DSF was active in cultural work with numerous activities.

From the collection

»Kaffee Mix« and coffee crisis

Collection

26 Jul 2021

One of the most sensational products of the GDR was the »Kaffee Mix«, also called »Erich's Krönung«. In this blog post, we take a closer look at the history of coffee in the GDR.

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