Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk reads »Freiheitsschock«

As part of Berlin Freedom Week from 8 to 15 November 2025, the DDR Museum invites you to a special evening with historian and journalist Dr Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk. The author will read from his book »Freiheitsschock« (Freedom Shock) and take part in the debate about East Germany's past, present and future.

Kowalczuk is one of the most influential voices in the discourse on German-German history. His basic thesis is that East German society experienced a veritable »freedom shock« with the peaceful revolution in 1989 and the subsequent reunification – a profound change that continues to have an impact to this day.

In his book, he analyses not only the successes of unification, but also the dark sides of the unification process. He criticises the persistence of victim roles as well as West German clichés about the East – and pleads for more personal responsibility, historical awareness and the courage to embrace democracy.

Experience a committed historian who clearly names the dictatorship of the GDR, but does not ignore the challenges of the present. Kowalczuk speaks plainly – about identity, freedom and the question of how we can shape the future together today.

For everyone who is interested in history, the present and democratic coexistence – regardless of age, gender or origin.

Admission is free of charge.

15. November 2025, 6 pm

Conference room DDR Museum
Sankt Wolfgang-Str. 2
10178 Berlin

Here you can see the location.

The event will take place in German.