GDR processing: Historians want to have everyday life and Eastern Valley

GDR processing: Historians want to have everyday life and Eastern Valley

Berlin, Deutschland - 35 years after the fall of the wall, the processing of the GDR history is far from complete! The East German historian Stefan Wolle, who heads the GDR Museum in Berlin, illuminates the challenges and goals of this discussion in the interview. Wolle, which was actively involved in the Stasi processing, emphasizes that it is not only about the dark chapters of the dictatorship, but also about the everyday life of people in the GDR. "We have to understand how the normal citizens lived, with the wall and the Stasi," he explains.

wool criticizes the often one-sided view of the GDR history and calls for a differentiated approach. "Refurbishment means dealing with our history, not just lying on the couch," he says. It is particularly important to him that young people understand the difference between dictatorship and democracy. "We tell not only about repression, but also of the everyday experiences of people," continued.

Ostalgie and its meaning

Another exciting aspect is the so -called Eastern Valley, which has become popular since the turn of the millennium. Wool sees this trend a way to reflect on everyday life in the GDR, but warns of too simple nostalgia. "It is not enough to exhibit and say an old Trabi, that's the GDR," he explains. The processing must go deeper and incorporate the normality in a dictatorship.

WOLL is convinced that the past 35 years have been a success story, despite the challenges that still exist. He contradicts the widespread opinion that the people in the east of third parties are class. "The cities are wealthy today and well in good shape," he says. Nevertheless, there is dissatisfaction that is also evident in the AfD voter base. "A certain 'Osttrotz' was created," explains Wolle, who emphasizes the complexity of the political landscape in the east.