“Between East and West”: The Goethe-Institut tells the stories of a divided country.
On the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Goethe-Institut Budapest is addressing the themes of freedom and the culture of remembrance. In mid-October, contemporary witnesses, stakeholders and interested parties met to exchange ideas in various formats about the German and Hungarian perspective on the generation of reunification.
Four episodes, many voices
There was a lot of activity on the three floors of the Goethe-Institut: contemporary witnesses to the fall of the Berlin Wall sat around the institute as “living books,” guided visitors from station to station, passing through the joint exhibition “Between. East and West” on the first floor or the journalistic writing workshop for Budapest students, where diligent research and writing took place.
The house is full – people from different generations, different nationalities and, above all, with very individual biographies came together. What they had in common was that they had experienced the split of Germany and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
They can all be heard today: In a four-part program entitled ”Dialogues”, the Goethe-Institut Budapest brought together German and Hungarian contemporary witnesses and history buffs to exchange experiences from the time of reunification – and also to build important bridges to be taken into the country. here and now.
Contemporary witnesses could be questioned in individual interviews.
A living library and writing workshop
In the newly established format of the Living Library, people could be “borrowed” – as “narrative books” – for private conversations: four contemporary witnesses of the fall of the Berlin Wall founded the pilot group of this format and shared their stories and biographies. with visitors in a chat format.
Individual careers ranged from stories of escape, disruption of family and friend circles, military experiences and civil movements to personal views on the various political systems, the effects of which can still be felt today.
To get closer to the sensitive subjects, the young visitors were offered a writing workshop in advance, in which the biographies were prepared and discussed together under the guidance of the German journalist Laila Niklaus.
It is already clear after the successful pilot project, that the Living Library will continue as an educational format at the Goethe-Institut: By processing individual biographical stories, historical discourses become tangible for visitors and discussion is encouraged.
Presenting personal stories for free,
The exhibition ”Between East and West”, which can be seen at the institute until December 20, also focuses on the presentation of personal stories: As a community exhibition, texts, materials and memories submitted by contemporary German and Hungarian witnesses are displayed here and give an insight into the period before 1989 and around it. Curator Ágnes Lucsánszky explained the background of the exhibition during a guided tour.
Guided tour of the “Between East and West” exhibition.
The conclusion was a panel discussion moderated by the journalist Laila Niklaus: In a conversation with the authors Judka Strittmatter, who fled the GDR to the Federal Republic in 1988, and Jana Simon, who also grew up in the GDR, they consider their biographies. and current developments in East Germany.
They examined the question of how egalitarian German reunification was, what role the social inequality between the citizens of the East and the West played in this regard and to what extent their respective origins are still part of personal identity today.
The role of the media
Strittmatter said that “East German” did not become “East German” until the fall of the Wall, and that East German issues and cultural influences in Germany have been neglected until today. The strong influence of the media was also discussed, which shows a clear narrative of the “West” and the “East” so far: Right-wing and right-wing extremist developments are increasingly attributed to the East.
In the discussion, the authors mainly looked for possible explanations for the growing popularity of right-wing tendencies among the population, which is increasingly reflected in election results. The history of transition and the partially unresolved stigma of the East were recognized as part of the problem: the transition generation in particular did not understand their “victim position” in the time of retrospective reunification.
Conclusion
Events like the conversations enable an open exchange about the stories and individual experiences of a generation that grew up between two worlds and initiate a dialog that is necessary to break down generalizations and prejudices and overcome the queerness.
How do personal narratives influence our understanding of historical events, particularly in the context of the fall of the Berlin Wall?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Laila Niklaus, Journalist and Workshop Facilitator
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Laila! The recent events at the Goethe-Institut Budapest surrounding the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall have certainly caught people’s attention. Can you tell us a bit about the atmosphere during the event?
Laila Niklaus: Absolutely! The atmosphere was vibrant and reflective. People of all ages and backgrounds came together to share and listen to stories of the past. It was a unique convergence of experiences, where contemporary witnesses sat as “living books,” allowing visitors to engage in meaningful conversations about the implications of the Wall’s fall.
Time.news Editor: That sounds fascinating. Can you elaborate on the Living Library format? How does it work, and what did you aim to achieve through it?
Laila Niklaus: The Living Library format allows visitors to “borrow” people for personal conversations—essentially, we create a space for storytelling that’s very intimate and humanized. The idea was to present history not just as a series of events, but through the eyes of individuals who lived it. By sharing their personal stories, contemporary witnesses highlighted the diverse and often painful experiences that accompanied the division of Germany.
Time.news Editor: It’s interesting how personal narratives can shed light on historical events. What types of stories did you hear during these sessions?
Laila Niklaus: The stories varied widely. Some participants recounted harrowing tales of escape from the East, while others discussed the disruptions in their family lives caused by the political climate. There were also reflections on military experiences, civil movements, and the different political systems. Each story added depth to our understanding of that era, revealing the emotional landscapes that statistics alone cannot convey.
Time.news Editor: Given such sensitive topics, how did you prepare the younger participants for these discussions?
Laila Niklaus: We held a writing workshop beforehand where students learned how to approach these personal narratives. It was crucial to create a safe space for discussing complex subjects. Participants were encouraged to reflect on their own understanding of history and to think critically about how personal biographies intersect with larger historical narratives.
Time.news Editor: That’s an important approach! The exhibition “Between East and West” also played a central role in the event. What did you think about its impact on visitors and participants?
Laila Niklaus: The exhibition really enriched the entire experience. It showcased personal texts, materials, and memories from both German and Hungarian witnesses, allowing visitors to visualize the historical context more tangibly. This wasn’t just a display of artifacts; it was a collective memory exercise that prompted discussions about identity, freedom, and remembrance. Ágnes Lucsánszky did a tremendous job curating this exhibition to facilitate an emotional connection to the past.
Time.news Editor: It seems like a powerful way to engage with history. How do you think events like this contribute to the understanding of freedom and remembrance in today’s world?
Laila Niklaus: Events like these matter because they create dialogue across generations and cultures. They remind us that the struggle for freedom and peace continues in various forms around the world today. By learning from the past—our shared histories—we cultivate greater empathy and understanding in the present. This is particularly vital now, as many societies grapple with division and conflict.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely essential points! As you look toward the future, what are your aspirations for continuing this Living Library format at the Goethe-Institut?
Laila Niklaus: Given the success of our pilot project, I hope we can expand this format into a more structured educational tool. We want to build more bridges between generations and facilitate discussions about history that resonate deeply with our current landscape. Sharing these narratives not only educates but also empowers participants to think about their roles in shaping the future.
Time.news Editor: Thank you so much for your insights, Laila. It’s clear that projects like these play a crucial role in fostering understanding and connection through history.
Laila Niklaus: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the power of storytelling and its potential to unite us in understanding our shared humanity.