Full the east: captivating GDR photos from June 16 in Magdeburg!

Full the east: captivating GDR photos from June 16 in Magdeburg!

Hochschulbibliothek der Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal, Campus Magdeburg, Deutschland - From June 16, 2025, the University of Magdeburg-Stendal University will be the setting for an impressive photo exhibition. "Full the East. Life in the GDR" presents over 100 photographs by Harald Hauswald, which give a unique insight into everyday life in East Berlin in the 1980s. The exhibition runs until September 19, 2025 and admission is free, which increases the chance to experience this.

Hauswald, born in Radebeul near Dresden, has documented the reality of the GDR in a light that is often hidden behind the official propaganda. The pictures that are shown on 20 tables address everyday scenes and human life - from old and lonely gentlemen to younger couples to rockers and hooligans. These photos are a tribute to the commitment of many for peace and environmental protection and offer an unvarnished perspective on life in the GDR, which is contradicted to the self-image of the SED dictatorship. As the side of Magdeburg clicks, the accompanying texts of historian Stefan Wolle, who grew up in the GDR and thus has a deep insight into the social dynamics.

A look behind the scenes

The exhibition is not only a collection of images, but also an interface to education. Supreme students took part in a photo rally to understand the theme of the dictatorship through the Hauswald lens. The rally brings important topics such as "state security", "youth" and "economy", and sensitizes the young people to the differences between life in a dictatorship and a democracy. Shahboul Hamer, who supervises the event, underlines that dealing with historical sources and photographs contributes to promoting critical thinking and reflection on one's own reality of life. These aspects are also emphasized in the detailed description of the JN Grohr page.

In order to deepen experience, the boards also contain QR codes that lead to video interviews with Harald Hauswald. These not only give another impression of his work, but also of the thoughts and considerations behind his pictures. The exhibition therefore not only offers a visual, but also an interactive connection to the history.

For everyone who is interested in the GDR era, the exhibition is an absolute must. The opening times are from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. As already mentioned, there is no admission to pay, which makes exposure particularly accessible. So if you have a good hand for historical and social relationships, you will surely get your money's worth here. Further information can be found on the Ostkreuz agency.