By Carolin Würfel
In the years following the fall of the Berlin Wall, the rich cultural heritage of East Germany has often been neglected, with its literature, art, and music pushed to the margins of collective memory. This neglect has left a significant divide in Germany, where the experiences and stories of those who lived in the former socialist republic are too often dismissed. Such disregard can lead to feelings of shame, which may spiral into anger and, unfortunately, fuel support for far-right ideologies.
When I attended school in the 1990s, GDR literature was notably absent from the curriculum. This absence wasn't just a simple omission; it was a reflection of the broader societal disdain for anything associated with East Germany. As a child growing up in Leipzig, I found myself avoiding books by East German authors, despite the fact that many of them were within easy reach in our home library. The public perception of the GDR as a failed state influenced this decision, instilling a sense of fear and shame.
With the collapse of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, the narrative surrounding East German culture was effectively erased. West Germans took control of the national story, condemning the GDR as a fundamentally flawed entity. This verdict extended to its cultural output, with East German literature, art, and music being dismissed as relics of a misguided era.
However, recent years have seen a shift in this narrative. After decades of focusing on the darker aspects of the GDR—oppression, propaganda, and surveillance—there is now a growing interest in reviving the cultural contributions of East Germany. Writers like Brigitte Reimann have been rediscovered, and in 2023, three of her works were republished, with her story "Siblings" finally translated into English to international acclaim, fifty years after her death.
Contemporary authors are also contributing to this revival. Jenny Erpenbeck, born in East Berlin, won the International Booker Prize in 2024 for her novel "Kairos," which explores life in East Berlin during the late 1980s and the years following reunification. While Erpenbeck's work has been celebrated internationally, it has also sparked controversy in Germany. Critics accuse her of romanticizing the GDR, ignoring the harsh realities of life under the socialist regime.
This backlash is not limited to Erpenbeck. Katja Hoyer, another East German author, faced similar criticism for her book "Beyond the Wall," which was an international bestseller but received little recognition in Germany. Such responses reflect a broader resistance to acknowledging the validity of East German experiences and perspectives.
The persistence of these attitudes is dangerous. As we approach the elections in three East German states, the cultural and historical divide between East and West remains a potent source of tension. The rise of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party in regions like Saxony is a troubling symptom of this unresolved divide. Polls suggest that the AfD could become the dominant political force in Saxony, the state where I grew up. This is not just an East German problem, however. The AfD's founders and leaders are West Germans, highlighting the need for a unified approach to addressing the underlying issues.
To truly achieve unity, we must embrace the full complexity of our shared history. The stories of East Germans are not just their stories—they are part of our collective narrative. If we continue to ignore or dismiss these experiences, we risk deepening the divisions within our society, making true reconciliation impossible.
To explore more on this topic, visit The Guardian's article on the East Germany culture divide.
For further reading:
- East German Literature: Rediscovering a Lost Heritage - An exploration of the recent resurgence in interest in GDR literature.
- The Rise of the Far Right in Eastern Germany - A deep dive into the political landscape in East Germany and the factors driving support for the AfD.
- Brigitte Reimann: A Voice from the GDR - A profile on Brigitte Reimann and the renewed interest in her work.
