“Everyday life in the GDR” clearly illustrates the rift and the tensions between the expectations and demands of the rulers of the GDR on the one hand and life and realities of the people living under their rule. The exhibition is divided in four individual parts. The part “Ruled by the SED” shows the mechanisms of power. “The Rhythm of the Collective” gives you an insight in the day-to-day at work and the organised leisure time activities. The section “Consumption and Shortages” decribes the SED’s promises of a better life under socialism in contrast with the real-life shortages. The final part “Retreat and Break-up” shows, how many East Germans celebrated the retreat into privacy with their dacha and Trabi car.
The concept of the exhibition was developed by the foundation Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland which has also opened the museum of Kulturbrauerei. The museum is located in the listed area of the former Schultheiss Brewery in Prenzlauer Berg, called today “Kulturbrauerei”.
