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Dossier: What life was like in communist East Germany

October 29, 2009

East Germans worked, cooked dinner and spent time with family and friends just like West Germans did. But they were also spied on by the Stasi and kept from leaving by the inner-German border. Click here to learn more.

https://p.dw.com/p/KHfz

East Germans worked, cooked dinner and spent time with family and friends just like West Germans did. But they were also spied on by the Stasi and kept from leaving by the inner-German border. Click on the links below to find out more about what life was like for those living in the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

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Reports & Analysis

Berlin Wall Anniversary - Pop in 2 Germanies

englisch: Berlin Wall Anniversary - Pop in 2 Germanies - Produziert: 29.10.2009 - 18:17:00 von Zimmermann, Peter
October 30, 200908:35 min
Katarina Witt

Ice-skating queen

Katarina Witt was the GDR's poster athlete, everybody's darling in both East and West Germany.
January 7, 2009

Typically Ossi -- Typically Wessi

It's been 20 years since East and West Germany reunified, but the terms "typically Ossi" and "typically Wessi" are still bandied about. We've selected some of the most common cliches.
January 5, 2009
Angela Merkel wearing safety glasses.

Merkel's GDR

The Stasi once offered Merkel a position as a spy, but she declined, citing her big mouth.
May 19, 2009
A view through the window of the Palace of the Republic, with the East German emblem

Demolished treasures

East German made significant contributions to modern architecture - but many have been torn down.
July 31, 2009
German sparkling wine Rotkäppchen

East German brands thrive 30 years after Berlin Wall fell

East Germany may be long gone, but communist-era brands have made a comebakc.
HistoryOctober 29, 2019
Abrafaxe comic characters

Comical escape

Communist East Germany's Mosaik comics have withstood history and published their 400th edition.
April 7, 2009
S Bahn sign in front of glass high-rise on Potsdamer Platz

Traveling conundrum

The metro system proved to be a puzzling aspect of Berlin's division, a new exhibition shows.
September 16, 2009
An olive green Soviet-era Trabant is pictured near the Berlin Wall

Walled in

Deutsche Welle has built an animated depiction of the former border between East and West Germany.
June 29, 2009
The Berlin Wall being built

The Berlin Wall: A symbol of division

On August 13, 1961, construction began on the Berlin Wall. DW-WORLD.DE looks back...
August 13, 2009