Street names in Ludwigslust: A piece of GDR history alive!

Street names in Ludwigslust: A piece of GDR history alive!

In Ludwigslust, the history of the GDR is reflected in many ways in the street names. These names are not only simple signposts, but also part of a collective memory that preserves the political and social ideals of the past. The best-known examples are Clara-Zetkin-Straße and Fritz-Reuter-Straße. Their naming commemorates important personalities and traditions that still have significance today. Nordkurier reports, that Clara-Zetkin-Straße was named after the famous socialist and women's rights activist who campaigned for the rights of women workers in the 19th century and made a significant contribution to the founding of International Women's Day.

Fritz-Reuter-Straße, on the other hand, honors the Low German writer who was celebrated by the GDR as a “people's poet” even though he was never a socialist. The Street of Peace and the Square of Peace are other striking places that were intended to symbolize the peaceful ideology of the GDR. The latter served as a center for political celebrations and commemorative events. Here the GDR was portrayed as a bulwark against war and fascism.

Political education through street names

During the GDR era, street names had a clear function: they served political education and were intended to legitimize the state's identity. For example, the Pioneer Bridge, named after the “Young Pioneers”, is reminiscent of the children's organization that was supposed to convey the values ​​of socialism.

Despite the reunification and the extensive change in East Germany, many of the original names were retained in Ludwigslust. One reason for this is the desire for local identification and historical continuity, such as the Nordkurier states. The people in the region do not want to forget their history, but rather make it visible.

Women in the focus of social policy

Speaking of history: In the context of the GDR, the role of women is particularly noteworthy. Loud Hdg.de Equality between men and women was strongly promoted in the SED regime. In the mid-1960s, around 62 percent of women of working age were already working, which desirably led them to greater independence in the GDR than in West Germany at the time. However, wages for women in typical professions often lagged behind men's wages, which only increased the multiple burdens of work, family and household.

Despite the principle that equal work should receive equal pay, this was often not adhered to, especially in professions such as nursing or textiles. Although the SED tried to provide material help and set up educational opportunities for women, many of them barely made it into leading positions. International Women's Day on March 8th was celebrated, but the underlying role models remained largely intact.

Overall, it becomes clear that the streets of Ludwigslust not only offer geographical orientation, but are also deeply rooted in the history of the GDR. They tell of great political ideals, of the role of women in socialism and of a society that, despite its challenges, strived for identity, equality and political consciousness. In addition to the historical aspects, it is also important to reflect on the contemporary relevance of these names and what they mean for the current and future generations.