Documentation Centre for Everyday Life in GDR Endangered!

I write today to forward a call for assistance from the Documentation Centre of Everyday Culture of the GDR. This institution in the town of Eisenhüttenstadt is committed to using material culture to educate visitors about, and conduct research into, the history of East Germany between 1945 and 1990. I have had the opportunity to visit the Centre of several occasions, and they do exceptional work in difficult circumstances. The Centre is financed by a combination of funding from various levels of government. At present, it stands to lose its funding from the City of Eisenhüttenstadt at year’s end, a development which would see the matching funds promised by the regional and federal governments disappear as well. Without these funds, the Centre would naturally be forced to let go all its staff and cease to function as a serious site for teaching and research.

Display of East German plastic dishware on display at the Documentation Centre in Eisenhüttenstadt

The loss of this important institution would be a significant blow to the informed, differentiated teaching and research of GDR history which goes on at the Centre. (It’s also a fantastic destination for a day-trip when staying in Berlin.) Given, I would strongly encourage you read the statement from the Centre’s Director Andreas Ludwig which is found below and then take the time to sign the petition found at the link within his message (unfortunately, the petition is in German only!)Subject: ANN: Resolution zum Erhalt des Dokumentationszentrums / Petition in favor of the Documentation Centre for Everyday Life in the GDR

Date: Wed, Nov 28, 2012

Dear colleagues and friends,

it seems inevitable that the Documentation Centre of Everyday Culture will not be able to continue working from the end of the year due to a lack of funding.

With the end of the year all activities in research, project and exhibition development, and scholarly assistance have to be stopped. All staff will be dismissed.

In this situation we kindly ask you to support a resolution in favor of the institution itself and the possibility to continue our work on a professional basis.

If you agree to attend, please follow this link:

http://www.activism.com/de_DE/petition/dokumentationszentrum-alltagskultur-der-ddr-erhalten/40685

You may also post your personal commentary on the resolution form.

Please send this message to colleagues who may be interested to participate
in our protest.

With kind regards,
Andreas Ludwig

Canned meats as part of an exhibit on shopping the GDR at the Documentation Centre in Eisenhüttenstadt