A neighborhood walk: Living at the Wall: The Oderberger Straße
Today Oderberger Straße is a popular street among tourists and Berliners for shopping, strolling and living. Until 1989, however, it was a dead end street that ended at the Wall. Because of the viewing platform behind the Wall on the side of West Berlin, it was mockingly called "Shop Window to the East". Its proximity to the border and its special location in the middle of the city ensured that the SED state also kept a close eye on it.
Much of what constituted daily life in the GDR in the 1970s and 1980s can still be traced along the street today. Consumption and butchery tell of supply and queuing. Pubs and the town swimming pool Oderberger Straße tell of celebrations and recreation for local residents. The old buildings about living with the "toilet half a staircase down" and about secret meetings of the East Berlin opposition and their spying by the MfS. The walk begins at the museum in the Kulturbrauerei and ends at the site of the former viewing platform.
Participation is free of charge. Registration is possible via berlin@hdg.de, not required.The number of participants is limited to 20 persons.The meeting point is at the information desk in the museum. Duration: 1.5 hours
Friday, 31 May 2019, 5 p.m.