the archive of the GDR opposition

I carry out the main part of my research at the Robert Havemann Gesellschaft, the Archive of the GDR Opposition, primarily within the GrauZone collection.

This research becomes visible through the accompanying online publication: behind the drawings stand photographs — on the corresponding website, archival materials appear in the form of documents, quotations, samizdat publications, and photographs.

Archive of the GDR Opposition
The Archive of the GDR Opposition collects, preserves, and makes accessible materials relating to opposition and resistance to the communist dictatorship in the GDR. It emerged from the merger of three archives of the East German opposition and civil rights movement. Under the umbrella of the Robert Havemann Society, it has developed into one of the most significant archives on the history of opposition in the GDR.

GrauZone collection
The collection documents the work of non-state women’s groups in the GDR since the mid-1980s. In addition to personal papers, it also contains the records of the Independent Women’s Association (UFV) in the GDR. The holdings include approximately 2,000 photographs of group meetings, peace workshops, women’s festivals, conferences, demonstrations, women’s camps, lesbian forums, as well as the founding congress of the Independent Women’s Association in 1991.

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»Unabhängige Presse«, Demonstration auf dem internationalen Frauentag 1990 // »Independent Press«, demonstration at the international women’s day 1990 // Photo: Leo Tesch
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6. Frauengruppentreffen // 6.: Zwischen Aufbruch und Beharren // Photo: Kerstin Baarmann
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Modenschau der Künstlerinnengruppe Erfurt in der Moritzbastei 1989 // Fashion-show at Moritzbastei in Erfurt, 1989 // Photo: Mechthild Ziegenhagen
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»Lesben in der Kirche«, Friedenswerkstatt 1985, Erlöserkirche Berlin // »Lesbians ind the Church« 1985, Berlin // Photo: Bettina Dziggel
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Redaktion Ypsilon Magazin // editors of Ypsilon magazine // Fotografin: Kerstin Baarmann
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Erstes Dresdener Frauenfest, Dresden 1985 // First Dresden’s Festival of/for Woman, Dresden 1985 // Photo: Christine Starke
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Frauen für den Frieden 1983, Treffen in Bollewick // Women for Peace at a meeting in Bollewick 1983 // Photo: Katja Havemann