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GDR History

The dacha as a symbol of everyday life in the GDR

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. Read more
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From the collection

Children’s sewing machines from VEB Piko

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. Read more
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GDR History

The way to adulthood: youth initiation ceremonies in the GDR

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. Read more
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GDR history

1 May as a »Day of Combat and Celebration« in the GDR

Between 1949 and 1989, 1 May was celebrated annually in the GDR with great ceremony as the »International Day of Combat and Celebration of the Working People for Peace and Socialism«. In addition to awarding prizes, the state leadership used the occasion to show itself to be close to the people in public. Read more
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From the museum

Special exhibition »A nation and its heroes«

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. Read more
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GDR History

Local history lessons in GDR schools

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. Read more
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GDR History

Lenin and his reflection in the GDR

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. Read more
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GDR History

The Influence of Soviet Products and Culture on the GDR

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. Read more
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From the collection

»AKA ELECTRIC«: Household gadgets from the GDR

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. Read more
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History

Karl Marx and his influence in the GDR

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. Read more
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From the collection

The Leipzig Trade Fair

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. Read more
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Relics of the GDR

»Sandman, dear Sandman...«

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. Read more
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From the Museum

The »Bathroom« in the DDR Museum

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. Read more
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Shops and department stores in the GDR

»Centrum Warenhaus« and »Konsument«

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. Read more
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From the collection

DEFA film classics

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. Read more
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From the collection

»Color picture books« from DEFA production

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. Read more
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From the collection

The Berlin TV Tower

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. Read more
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From the collection

With distinction! Medals and decorations in the GDR

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. Read more
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History

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

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. Read more
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Collection

The Society for German-Soviet Friendship

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. Read more