The event series “Interventions on 35 Years of the Fall of the Wall” at Villa Schöningen in Potsdam combines art, history and a culture of remembrance at one of the most important historical sites of the division of Germany. The villa, located directly on the Glienicke Bridge, was the scene of spy exchanges during the Cold War and a symbol of the division of Germany. Today it offers a space for art and reflection on these historical events.

As part of the “Interventions”, visitors can expect a varied program that includes historical tours, artistic installations and interactive formats. The program begins with a historical tour by Kerstin Zarbock, who provides insights into the significance of the villa during the GDR and the Cold War. She explains the role of Glienicke Bridge as a venue for spy exchanges and sheds light on the political tensions of the time.

Artistic interventions play a central role in the events. Artist Eric Meier, whose installation “Spirit” is presented in the villa, reflects on the after-effects of the GDR on individual and family dynamics. Together with gallery owner Judy Lybke, a key figure in the East German art scene, he will discuss the changes in the art world after the fall of the Wall in an artist talk.

Artist Marie Jeschke swims escape routes from the GDR and captures them on canvas. She swam one of these routes near Glienicke Bridge in the summer of 2024. In conversation with historian Dr. Jenny Linek, Jeschke’s artistic exploration of GDR history will be complemented by academic perspectives. Dr. Linek, who works at the University of Greifswald and, among other things, deals with the processing of deaths during escape attempts across the Baltic Sea, will shed light on historical aspects of the escape and its biographical effects.

A special highlight is the creative session by the artist duo Drawsome Potsdam, which invites young and old to engage artistically with reunification. This participatory art event enables participants to express their own experiences and thoughts on reunification through creative forms of expression.

The program is rounded off by Stefan Roloff’s permanent multimedia installation “Life in the Death Strip” at Villa Schöningen, which focuses on life along the Berlin Wall. Roloff will personally guide visitors through his work and talk about his individual experiences as an artist at the time of reunification.

There will also be space for literary exploration of the period before and after 1989: Potsdam author Christine Anlauff will read from her autobiographically inspired novel “Good Morning Lehnitz”, which sheds light on the challenges and hopes of young people during the time of reunification. She will also give an insight into her work “Frühlingsschimmern”, which is set in Potsdam before the fall of the Wall.

These diverse formats offer the opportunity to experience and reflect on German reunification on both an intellectual and emotional level. Admission to all events is €10 (reduced €8) and includes a ticket to the current exhibition “Stoff. Textile and the Female Nude” at Villa Schöningen. As the number of participants for each event is limited, please register early at info@villa-schoeningen.de.