The new permanent exhibition “Our History. Dictatorship and Democracy after 1945” gives the post-reunification period more space and sets new thematic priorities. Embark on a journey through time and history. The exhibition begins with the period after the Second World War, shows life in the GDR and takes you to the present day of the Federal Republic of Germany: Why is the GDR being created? Who has the power? How do people live, work, celebrate and argue? Why does the GDR fail? How has Germany grown back together since 1990? Which questions and which worries move people today?

The Monday demonstrations took place in Leipzig in autumn 1989, a central step towards the end of the GDR. The permanent exhibition at the historical site shows the revolutionary upheavals in the GDR and Eastern Europe, as well as their effects on Europe and world politics. Successes and difficulties of growing together become clear from a variety of individual points of view.

International terrorism, digitalisation and the refugee crisis are further challenges that reunited Germany is currently facing.

2,000 objects, photos and films illustrate the history of a divided Germany and the time after reunification: the table of the Politburo of the SED is just as much a part of it as parts of the fence of the Prague Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany. Contemporary witnesses share their experiences with you. Their individual stories show how political events affect people’s lives. A video installation by the artist Bettina Flitner puts people’s hopes and worries into perspective today and stimulates discussion in the exhibition’s forum.

The exhibition is free of charge.

For more information see https://www.hdg.de/zeitgeschichtliches-forum/ausstellungen/unsere-geschichte-diktatur-und-demokratie-nach-1945/

[text taken from https://www.hdg.de/zeitgeschichtliches-forum and translated]