The Gegenwind counseling center has been operating in Berlin since 1998. It offers advice and help for people who are still suffering from the consequences of trauma from the time of the SED dictatorship. The services include psychosocial counseling, therapeutic discussion groups and yoga. An important component is the therapeutic painting group, which has been running since 2007. The aim is to deal with the experiences in an artistic and creative way. Even what cannot be said can be expressed in this way. Different techniques and approaches, figurative and abstract, are used. The exhibition shows works by the painting group. Five people are currently active in the group. They have developed their own style and impressively convey their examination of their own past, how they deal with it in the present - and their view of the future.

Program

• Welcome: Dr. Bettina Effner, Berlin Wall Foundation
• About the work of Gegenwind: Wiebke Jacobs, Counseling Center Gegenwind
• In conversation with contemporary witness Anna Haase, moderated by Dr. Sarah Bornhorst, Berlin Wall Foundation
• Musical accompaniment with barrel organ and saxophone

In cooperation with the Gegenwind advice center