A little bit of freedom. Life in the GDR

The exhibition displays historical photographs that reveal the quiet, often overlooked moments of personal freedom within a restrictive political system. The focus is on the everyday spaces of the self, such as family, leisure, friendship, work, music, movement and creativity. While the broad concept of ‘freedom’ was officially politically charged in the GDR, the images reveal a subtle, human dimension of it: the conscious shaping of one's own everyday life within narrow limits. Authenticity and everyday relevance were the main criteria for the selection of photographs.

On display are photographs by various East German press and professional photographers, as well as photographs taken outside of state-sponsored settings: Christian Brachwitz, Ralf Drescher, Klaus D. Friede, Waltraud Grubitzsch, Martina Kaiser, Joachim Kirchmair, Marion Klemp, Volkhard Kühl, Maja Lopatta, Michael Richter, Mario Rietz, Merit Schambach, Peter Thieme, Thomas Uhlemann and Jochen Wermann.

The black-and-white and colour photographs from the 1960s to the 1980s combine documentary and artistic perspectives and offer an immediate, human view of life in the GDR.

The fact that the exhibition is being shown at Wellenwerk Berlin, a place of modern corporate culture and urban leisure, gives the project a special touch. Here, historical reflection and contemporary joie de vivre come together in a dialogue between past and present that brings Lichtenberg to life as a creative and open district. 

The photo exhibition, initiated by the Lichtenberg Economic Development Agency, is part of Berlin Freedom Week 2025 and aims to attract visitors from all over Berlin and beyond as part of tourism promotion. 
Admission is free during opening hours.

Opening reception on November 11, 2025, starting at 5 p.m. 

Opening hours:
Wednesday–Friday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Venue:
Wellenwerk Berlin
Landsberger Allee 270, 10367 Berlin