In the organizer's words:

Dealing with symbols of the GDR after 1990

On October 2, 1990 at midnight, not only did the GDR cease to exist, but its symbols also suddenly lost their validity. State coats of arms, medals and statues became relics of the past overnight. Many were disposed of, others stowed away in drawers at home or sold at flea markets - and later ended up in museum collections. The special exhibition is dedicated to the post-history of GDR state symbols and asks how the material evidence of a vanished state was dealt with - and what role they still play in the collective memory today. The third and final volume in the DDR Museum's "DDR in Objects" series brings together the themes of state, politics and ideology. The exhibition shows a selection of the collection items from the illustrated book and poses the question of 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 the DDR Museum Collection
Dr. Liza Soutschek, research assistant at the DDR Museum

SPECIAL EXHIBITION MARCH 25 TO NOVEMBER 15, 2026

Admission is free of charge.