East German Women’s* Salon

From 2.00 pm to 8.00 pm, the focus will be on encounters, memories and discussions about East German identity and social change.

At the heart of the event is a long table where anyone interested can take a seat and strike up a conversation with others.

This open exchange will be accompanied by literature, art, podcasts and hands-on activities. The focus will be on personal experiences, different perspectives and the question of how East German history continues to have an impact today.

Programme

• 12.45–1.45 pm: Guided tour ‘Women in the Service of the Stasi’ – a tour of the former Stasi headquarters. Booking required at einblick-ins-geheime@bundesarchiv.de or 030 18 665-6770. The tour is accessible.
• 2.15–3.00 pm: Reading ‘Ost*West*Frau’ – Ruth Herzberg reads from her contribution to the anthology of the same name.
• 3.30–4.15 pm: “Oh! How Eastern – Conversations that Connect Generations” – Jule Henschel invites young and old to engage in conversation through her party game.
• 4.45–5.30 pm: Art discussion “Art and East German Women” – Isabel Kittler, Doreen Trittel and Maria Magdalena Köhn discuss their art and their East German backgrounds.
• 6.00–6.45 pm: Live podcast ‘Calling East’ – Berit Großwendt talks to Grit Seymour (model, designer and professor).
• 7.15–8.00 pm: Performance ‘Marx in Love’ – The artist collective Panzerkreuzer Rotkäppchen blends pop with pathos.

Jackie A. (journalist, reporter and presenter) will be hosting the programme.

Further highlights

• Portraits from Isabel Kittler’s illustrated book “Vergiss mein nicht! Die letzten Ostfrauen” and artworks by Doreen Trittel offer different perspectives on East German life stories.
• Podcast listening station (please bring your own headphones)
• Book table by the paul + paula bookshop
• Station for decorating with gemstones – you’re welcome to bring your own items to decorate.

Visitor information

Admission is free. Booking is recommended, but drop-in visits are welcome at any time.

Accessibility: The venue, Haus 22, is not accessible. The guided tour at 12.45 pm is accessible.

Further information on BERLIN FREEDOM WEEK

A joint project by Lichtenberg Economic Development, the Federal Archives – Stasi Records Archive and the Ostfrauen*Salon. Funded by the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises as part of the funding for special tourism projects.