Press

Dear journalists,

Welcome to the press office of the DDR Museum. Here you will find current press releases and press photos on our exhibitions and events available for download. Get an impression yourself and experience our exhibition, talk to our visitors, be curious and ask us questions.

Free admission for journalists

Journalists with a valid press card have free admission to our museum. Please register in advance by e-mail at presse@ddr-museum.de. 
We look forward to your visit.


Press dates and distribution list

Receive press information on our exhibitions and events as well as invitations to upcoming press events in good time.

To the press release registration form

Current visitor numbers:

Total number of visitors to the exhibition since July 2006: 6,844,299

(as of July 15, 2022)

Press releases

The DDR Museum unveils the Palace of the Republic

19 Sep 2023 by Alexandra de León
On 6 October 2023, the DDR Museum will unveil the newly designed exhibition area on the theme of the »Palast der Republik« (eng. Palace of the Republic).
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Reopening of the DDR Museum on 1 April 2023

16 Mar 2023
Our new exhibition concept will be presented for the first time at the reopening of the DDR Museum on 1 April 2023.
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Illustrated book »GDR Daily Life in 200 Objects«

28 Feb 2023
DDR Museum Verlag to publish the book »GDR Daily Life in 200 Objects«.
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Expected reopening of the DDR Museum by 1 April 2023 at the latest

22 Dec 2022
The DDR Museum, damaged due to the destroyed aquarium »Aquadom«, had to close for repair work and is expected to open on 1 April 2023.
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DDR Museum opens new special exhibition

21 Apr 2022 by Vanessa Jasmin Lemke
Invitation to the press launch on 26 April 2022, 11 am
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DDR Museum publishes digital exhibition

5 Nov 2020 by Vanessa Jasmin Lemke
On the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the DDR Museum publishes the online exhibition »Painting Utopia – ›In Praise of Communism‹« on Google Arts and Cultures.
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DDR Museum is most popular sight in Berlin

12 Oct 2020 by Vanessa Jasmin Lemke
Survey of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) among foreign tourists published
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Press conference: »GDR in Objects 1949-1990. Leisure, Culture, Travel«

25 Sep 2020 by Vanessa Jasmin Lemke
On the occcasion of the 30th anniversary of the Reunification, the DDR Museum presents the second volume of the trilogy »GDR in Objects 1949-1990«
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Press release and Invitation: »GDR in Objects 1949-1990«

7 Jul 2020 by Vanessa Jasmin Lemke
DDR Museum publishes collection volume »GDR in Objects. Daily Life, Home, Consumption« on the occasion of its 14th anniversary
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Invitation to press presentation: »Stasi – over and out!«

19 Dec 2019 by Vanessa Jasmin Lemke
Launch of the card game »Stasi – over and out!« by Playing History on January 9, 2020, sponsored and supported by the DDR Museum and the Stasi Records Archive
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Long Night of Museum at the DDR Museum

19 Aug 2019 by Vanessa Jasmin Lemke
On the 31st of August it's time again: For the Long Night of Museums, the DDR Museum will open its doors from 6 pm to 2 am. In addition to the permanent exhibition and the current special exhibition »My Trabi«, there will be an exciting programme that offers a whole lot of fun for young and old.
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The DDR Museum welcomes its six millionth visitor

12 Aug 2019 by Vanessa Jasmin Lemke
In our 14th year of operation, we have reached a new milestone in our history – our six millionth visitor.
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Newly designed 0 Euro Souvenir Note

22 May 2019 by Vanessa Jasmin Lemke
DDR Museum publishes sixth, newly designed edition of the 0 Euro Souvenir Note
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»DDR-Guide« as an eBook in five languages

31 May 2018 by Vanessa Jasmin Lemke
The »DDR-Guide. A Companion to the Permanent Exhibition« is now available as an eBook in five languages. The book, which is both a guide through the interactive exhibition and a basic reference book about life in the DDR, is available in German, English, French, Spanish and Italian for 2.99 Euro in all popular eBook shops and in the online shop of the DDR Museum.
Read more

FAQ for journalists

May I interview visitors at the DDR Museum?

In general, the DDR Museum does not mind if you ask visitors for their individual opinions. Please register your visit with the spokesperson and let us know in which journalistic setting the interviews should take place. Experience has shown that our visitors are happy to talk about their own experiences and impressions. However, please proceed with caution and do not pressure our guests into talking, in order to allow them an unimpaired exhibition experience.

Can I film during the opening hours of the DDR Museum?

Yes, but please bear in mind that the DDR Museum is always busy and there may be a lot of noise. Filming is only possible after prior consultation with the spokesperson. The only condition is that our visitors can use all our installations at any time. Therefore, no areas will be closed off or restricted.

We recommend that you plan a shoot before (between 7 and 9 am) or after the opening hours (from 9 pm). 

Is admission free of charge for journalists?

Yes. If you show your valid press card at the ticket office, you will receive a free press ticket after accreditation. One press ticket will be issued per press card.

Can I take photographs in the DDR Museum?

Yes, if the photos are used exclusively for reporting on the DDR Museum. All other uses must be approved by the spokesperson.

How can I find an interview partner?

Several interview partners are available to you for reporting on the DDR Museum. Please always contact the spokesperson first for interview requests.

How can I receive updates from the DDR Museum?

You can subscribe for the press distribution list of the DDR Museum. Please register here for the press newsletter. You will then receive all press releases.

How can I film without visitors in the picture?

You can shoot at the DDR Museum by arrangement before or after the opening hours, from Monday to Thursday between 7 and 9 am or after 9 pm. If your filming is about reporting on the DDR Museum, your filming permission is free of charge. If you would like to use the museum in another context, e.g. as a backdrop, for photos/films or to shoot moderation contributions, this is also possible for a fee. Please contact the spokesperson for permission to film.

What are the lighting conditions like in the DDR Museum?

There is little natural light in the DDR Museum. For filming, you usually need additional artificial light sources. There are power sockets in several places in the DDR Museum that you can use.

Where can I find press images?

You can find press photos in printable quality here. You may use them free of charge for reporting on the DDR Museum. The copyright is »DDR Museum, Berlin 2022«. Any other use must be agreed in advance with the spokesperson. Please send an e-mail to presse@ddr-museum.de.

When did the DDR Museum open?

The DDR Museum was ceremoniously opened on 14 July 2006 by the then Senator for Culture and the Mayor. Since the first day of opening on 15 July 2006, it has already been visited by more than 6.5 million people from all over the world (as of 9/2020).

How did the idea for the museum come about?

On a trip to Berlin, the Freiburg ethnologist Peter Kenzelmann wanted to visit a DDR museum. He was convinced that one existed. At the tourist information office, he learned that there were memorials on the history of the state security and the Berlin Wall, but not a museum on the history of life under the GDR dictatorship. So the idea was born and it became clear that until then, museums only dealt with individual topics of the GDR, but did not explain the strong influence of the socialist state on all areas of life of its inhabitants.

Where do the exhibits come from?

Most of the exhibits come from private households. Thousands of different donors have preserved objects for posterity. Some of the exhibits are on permanent loan. Others, such as the Trabant car, were purchased.

How many objects does the DDR Museum own?

The collection of the DDR Museum currently comprises over 300,000 objects (as of 1/2022). These are kept separately from the exhibition in a depot that is not accessible to the public for security reasons.

Can I shoot in the depot of the DDR Museum?

For security reasons, the depot is not open to the public. Therefore, it is only possible to photograph or film there in exceptional cases and after specific arrangements have been made.

However, we will be happy to provide you with printable press photos from the depot.