A system goes down the drain - tourism and political surveillance in the GDR

Vacations, beaches and sunshine - this is what most GDR citizens thought of when they thought of the Rostock district. The district included the entire Baltic coast of the GDR, including the (half) islands of Poel, Hiddensee, Island of Rügen and Usedom. Those who wanted to spend their vacation here could not completely escape the political conditions. Even getting one of the coveted vacation spots was difficult. It therefore seemed advisable not to attract negative political attention. Only those who applied to the "central allocation office" in good time were given a place on the overcrowded campsites. As everywhere in the SED state, there was often a lack of supplies but an abundance of mistrust. After dark, the beach was considered a restricted area. Spotlights searched for fugitives. Soldiers patrolled ashore and kept watch on border towers. In the hinterland, the People's Police, Stasi and many helpers lay in wait. Despite all this, many people tried to escape. Slogans and flyers critical of the system also occasionally appeared in the coastal towns. In a journey through time, historian Dr. Christian Halbrock takes a look at the GDR years, a time when a party not only wanted to determine what was said and done, but also how people spent their vacations.

Admission is free.