A country in a container

State coats of arms, medals, and statues became relics of the past overnight. Many were discarded, others stowed away in drawers at home or sold at flea markets—and later found their way into museum collections.

This special exhibition explores the post-GDR history of state symbols and examines how the material remnants of a defunct state were handled—and what role they continue to play in the collective memory to this day. The third and final volume of the DDR Museum’s series “DDR in Objects” brings together the themes of state, politics, and ideology.

The exhibition features a selection of items from the collection presented in the illustrated book and asks why a country disappeared so quickly into the bulky waste container.

Introduction:

• Sören Marotz, Exhibition Director, DDR Museum

In conversation:

• Eric Strohmeier-Wimmer, Head of Collections, DDR Museum
• Dr. Liza Soutschek, Research Associate, DDR Museum

SPECIAL EXHIBITION

MARCH 25 THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2026