Volksaufstand in der DDR – Der 17. Juni 1953 in Gommern | Orte Ost
If you want to understand the history of the GDR, there is no way around the popular uprising of 17 June 1953. It remains one of the defining events of post-war German history. The latest episode of »Orte Ost« takes viewers to Gommern in Saxony-Anhalt and tells the story of a place where the dramatic events of those days unfolded with particular intensity. Historian Dr Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk explains why the protests spread not only through major cities but also mobilised villages and small towns across the country. As in many other places throughout the GDR, the people of Gommern rose up together against SED rule. What began as a workplace meeting developed into a protest march to the local prison, known as the »Onion Tower« (»Zwiebelturm«). Hundreds of people demanded free elections and the release of political prisoners. The episode tells a story of courageous decisions and hopes for a new beginning, but also of the violent suppression of the uprising by the Soviet occupation authorities. It follows the traces of people who stood up for freedom and paid a high price for doing so. What does the uprising in Gommern reveal about the GDR and its society? And why is it still important today to remember the events of 17 June 1953? »Orte Ost« is the DDR Museum’s film series exploring East German places, themes and events whose legacy continues to shape the present. Historian Dr Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk guides viewers through lost places, sites of memory and places that point towards the future, combining historical analysis with contemporary developments and personal recollections. New episodes are released regularly on the DDR Museum’s YouTube channel and take viewers on a search for traces of the past. »Orte Ost« stands for an engaging, accessible and contemporary exploration of GDR history, inviting audiences on a fascinating journey between past and future.
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