Exhibition “Women in Divided Germany”

More than 30 years ago, Germany was reunified after being divided into two separate states for decades: West Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany) and East Germany (the German Democratic Republic). Although the division officially ended in 1990, many stereotypes about women from East and West Germany still exist today.

Where do these stereotypes come from? And how accurate are they?

The exhibition "Women in Divided Germany" explores these questions. Curated by Clara Marz and presented by the Federal Foundation for the Study of the Communist Dictatorship in East Germany, the exhibition marks the 35th anniversary of German reunification. It consists of 20 posters that show how women lived in both East and West Germany during the 1970s and 1980s.

The goal of the exhibition is to highlight the diverse experiences of women in both states and to show the similarities and differences in their daily lives. It also asks whether, despite the very different political and social systems in East and West, women shared a common desire for independence and self-determination in a male-dominated society.

Organization of the exhibition: Equal Opportunities Office of Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences