Transformations in 1989/90 – a tour with contemporary witnesses through the former Marienfelde emergency reception center

For more than 70 years, the (former) Marienfelde emergency reception center has been a central point of arrival. It was established in 1953 as a contact point for refugees from the GDR. From 1964 onwards, ethnic German repatriates also arrived here, most of whom came from Poland until the 1980s. The buildings that housed the accommodations and reception services have been completely preserved. Today, they serve as temporary housing for people from war and crisis zones around the world who are seeking refuge in Berlin. Marienfelde was where refugees and emigrants began their new lives in the West. During the tour, contemporary witnesses who moved from Poland in the mid-1980s will talk about their experiences of arriving in Germany.

Meeting point: Foyer of the Marienfelde Emergency Reception Center Memorial, Marienfelder Allee 66/80, 12277 Berlin

The tour will be conducted in German.