Long Night of Museums 2026 at the DDR Museum

Berlin, 24 August 2026 – For the Long Night of Museums on 29 August 2026, the DDR Museum invites visitors to enjoy a varied evening exploring policing, criminal cases and stories of everyday life in the GDR. With short guided tours, a quiz, a film screening and a special photo point, visitors can discover different aspects of crime and policing in the GDR between 6 pm and 2 am.

One of the evening’s main themes is the Volkspolizei, the GDR’s People’s Police. A specially created photo point featuring unusual objects from the collection offers a unique way to explore the subject. At its centre is an exceptional exhibit from the DDR Museum’s collection, presented especially for the evening: an MZ ETZ 250 F in the version used by the Volkspolizei.

Motorcycles from Zschopau were among the GDR’s best-known vehicles. Particularly during the 1960s, motorcycles made by the manufacturer achieved top results in international motorcycle and enduro competitions. Their robust and reliable design also made them popular abroad. MZ exported its motorcycles to both socialist states and Western countries.

Alongside its regular production models, the Zschopau factory also produced special-purpose vehicles for state institutions such as the Volkspolizei and the National People’s Army. Technically, MZ built on the tradition of DKW two-stroke engines, which had already proved successful before the Second World War. Their comparatively simple design was continuously developed in Zschopau and shaped MZ motorcycles until the end of the GDR and beyond.

Expert Available for Interviews

Enrico Wedekind, historian and academic trainee at the DDR Museum Depot, is an expert on Simson, MZ and other vehicles from the GDR and is available for interviews. Using the motorcycle on display as a starting point, he can discuss topics including the history of motorcycle production in the GDR, the international success and exports of MZ and Simson, and special-purpose vehicles used by the Volkspolizei.

Event Programme

Short guided tour »The Exhibition Director Has the Floor«
7.30 pm, 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm

Quiz »Crime in Focus«
7 pm, 8 pm and 9 pm

Film screening »Questioning the Witnesses«
11 pm in the museum cinema

Key Information

What:
Long Night of Museums at the DDR Museum

When:
29 August 2026, 6 pm to 2 am

Where:
DDR Museum
Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 1
10178 Berlin