Cultural events in Germany focus on DDR history and memory

Museums in Potsdam and Halle are hosting events centered on the history of the German Democratic Republic (DDR) and the era of reunification.

In Potsdam, the Film Museum will screen the documentary ‘The Spies Among Us’ on November 5, 2026. The film follows historian Peter Keup, a former political prisoner in the DDR, as he confronts former Stasi officers. The documentary explores the deep impact of state surveillance on personal and family relationships, specifically highlighting Keup’s experience of being spied on by his own brother.

In Halle, the Stadtmuseum is hosting a witness dialogue on October 24, 2026, featuring photographer Reinhard Hentze and pastor Thea Ilse. The event, held alongside the exhibition ‘Reinhard Hentze: Freedom in View’, focuses on the political shifts of 1989 and 1990. Ilse, who was active in the Monday demonstrations and the founding of independent media, will discuss the era of social upheaval through the lens of Hentze’s photography.