Press

You can download current press information, the press kit, and image material for download on our exhibitions, events, and the DDR Museum Depot. In addition to arranging interviews about the DDR Museum and the Depot, we can forward interview requests on DDR-specific topics to our scientific staff. For research purposes, you will find further information and images of objects can be found in the object database of the DDR Museum collections. Please submit your image enquiry directly via our image enquiry form.

The DDR Museum Verlag prints publications and scientific literature that deal with the history of the GDR. This includes both in-house historians as well as external authors who examine and document various aspects of the GDR in their works.

Please order review copies at: verlag@ddr-museum.de.

Film and photo shoots

Editorial reporting

If you wish to create photographic or filmic reports on our exhibitions, events, and the DDR Museum Depot, please contact us in advance for case-specific approval.

Commercial photography and filming

Commercial film and photo shoots in the DDR Museum and the DDR Museum Depot are subject to a fee. For film and photo shoots in the outdoor area of the DDR Museum please contact Britta.Bruehl@union-investment.de.

Free admission for journalists

Journalists with a valid press card should register in advance to obtain free admission to our museum. Please apply here for authorisation to take photos or make filmic material: presse@ddr-museum.de.

Press dates and distribution list

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

Registration for the press mailing list

Contact

Press

T: +49 30 847 123 7-47 

presse@ddr-museum.de

Press Kit 
Images to download

Press releases

DDR Museum receives 35 new objects from Saxony-Anhalt following appeal for donations

In the summer, the DDR Museum in Berlin launched a nationwide appeal for donations for a new installation entitled ‘Economy of Scarcity’. Thirty-five donated objects will be collected in Halle on 19 November 2025. Read more

The East lives on!? The GDR Museum visits Weißensee for one evening

Journalist Petra Schwarz and GDR museum director Gordon Freiherr von Godin discuss the social relevance of the GDR and the concept of »Eastern identity« during a wine tasting. Read more

DDR Museum becomes new tricot sponsor of VSG Altglienicke

The DDR Museum and VSG Altglienicke are starting the new regional league season together. The new partnership was officially sealed yesterday at the DDR Museum. Read more

Western money at last! The monetary union of 1 July 1990 – special exhibition at the DDR Museum

From 1 July 2025, the DDR Museum will be dedicating the exhibition »West Money at Last!« to a key moment in German history: the introduction of the Deutschmark in the GDR. Read more

A Barkas hits the racetrack. DDR Museum starts at the Saxon Meister-Classic Rallye

Saxon Master Classic 2025 – A Barkas hits the racetrack. DDR Museum starts at the Saxon Meister-Classic Rallye Read more

Opening of the new »DDR Museum Depot« in Berlin-Marzahn

On 16 March, the DDR Museum celebrates the opening of its new depot in Berlin-Marzahn with a first public tour and a guided tour of the depot. Read more

Exhibition »Playful GDR – toy classics from the East«

From 14 February to 17 October 2025, the new exhibition entitled »Playful GDR - Toy Classics from the East« will be on display in the foyer of the DDR Museum. Read more

Dr Stefan Wolle leaves the DDR Museum

The scientific director Dr Stefan Wolle is leaving the DDR Museum after more than 18 years. Read more

Reopening of the DDR Museum on 1 April 2023

Our new exhibition concept will be presented for the first time at the reopening of the DDR Museum on 1 April 2023. Read more

Illustrated book »GDR Daily Life in 200 Objects«

DDR Museum Verlag to publish the book »GDR Daily Life in 200 Objects«. Read more

Expected reopening of the DDR Museum by 1 April 2023 at the latest

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. Read more

DDR Museum publishes digital exhibition

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. Read more

DDR Museum is most popular sight in Berlin

Survey of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) among foreign tourists published. Read more

Press conference: »GDR in Objects 1949-1990. Leisure, Culture, Travel«

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«. Read more

Special Exhibition »Palace of the Republic«

The DDR Museum shows a special exhibition on the Palace of the Republic from September 24, 2020 to April 5, 2021, 30 years after its closure. Read more

Press release and Invitation: »GDR in Objects 1949-1990«

DDR Museum publishes collection volume »GDR in Objects. Daily Life, Home, Consumption« on the occasion of its 14th anniversary. Read more

Invitation to press presentation: »Stasi – over and out!«

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. Read more

Special exhibition »The DDR's Final Year – Start into the Uncertain«

The small exhibition »The DDR's Final Year – Start into the Uncertain« looks at the period from the fall of the Berlin Wall to reunification. Read more

On the (almost) forgotten traces of the Berlin Wall

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the DDR Museum, in cooperation with the Berlin Wall Foundation, commemorates an almost forgotten section of the Berlin Wall in the district of Pankow. Read more

Long Night of Museum at the DDR Museum

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. Read more

The DDR Museum welcomes its six millionth visitor

In our 14th year of operation, we have reached a new milestone in our history – our six millionth visitor. Read more

Special Exhibition »My Trabi – 26 Two-Strake Stories«

The new special exhibition »My Trabi - 26 Two-Stroke Stories« tells 26 exciting stories in small showcases about the Trabant 601, the most driven car in the DDR. Read more

Newly designed 0 Euro Souvenir Note

DDR Museum publishes sixth, newly designed edition of the 0 Euro Souvenir Note. Read more

Temporary Exhibition »Born in ‘89 – Children of the Change«

The new special exhibit »Born in ‘89 – Children of the Change« will open on the evening of the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall in the visitor centre of the DDR Museum on November 9, 2018. Read more

»DDR-Guide« as an eBook in five languages

The »DDR-Guide. A Companion to the Permanent Exhibition« is now available as an eBook in five languages. Read more

Special Exhibition »Love, Sex & Socialism«

Berlin, March 21, 2018 – From March 28, 2018 to July 31, 2018, the small special exhibition »Love, Sex & Socialism« shows in 26 thematic display cases exciting exhibits on issues of relationship as well as sexual education and eroticism in the DDR. Read more

DDR Museum publishes new exhibition guide

The DDR Museum Verlag releases the »DDR-Guide. A Companion to the Permanent Exhibition« in English. For 5,90 € it is the perfect companion for visiting the interactive permanent exhibition of the DDR Museum. Read more

DDR Museum celebrates its 10-year anniversary

Since its opening on July 15th in 2006, more than 4.439.000 visitors have already enjoyed a hands-on experience of history in Berlin’s interactive 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.