Rostock in transition: New exhibition shows 40 years of GDR history!

Rostock in transition: New exhibition shows 40 years of GDR history!

Rostock has something to look forward to: On September 7th, the exhibition "40 formative years. District capital Rostock" will open in the Cultural History Museum, which will shed light on the city's history from 1945 to the Peaceful Revolution. Again Northern Courier reported, the show will be open to interested parties until January 4, 2026.

What can visitors expect? The exhibition is dedicated to the exciting transformation of Rostock from a bombed-out city to a vibrant center of industry and trade in the GDR. A central theme is reconstruction, which began immediately after the war under Soviet control. Rostock became the district capital in 1952 and developed into the capital for shipbuilding, education and sport.

Social challenges and development

During this time, numerous new housing developments were built, providing homes for hundreds of thousands of people. However, this change also brought challenges. Long journeys and anonymity became part of everyday life for many Rostock residents. These contradictions between progress and social tensions are impressively addressed in the exhibition.

Another central concern of the exhibition is the examination of the themes of repression and conformity, which were widespread in the GDR. At the same time, the tension between state control and individual hopes is illuminated, as well as living together in the shadow of the socialist ideal and everyday life.

Supporting program and guided tours

In addition to the exhibition, the museum offers an extensive accompanying program. Tours are offered on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. and Sundays at 11:00 a.m., among others. A further training course will take place for teachers on October 13th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., which is particularly suitable for teaching purposes. Registrations for this are possible via the IQ-MV portal, and schools have the opportunity to book guided tours or workshops on request by contacting Helena.Ruff@Rostock.de.

Dr. Steffen Stuth, the museum director, emphasizes how important it is that a city museum also deals with the challenges and history of the 20th century. This exhibition is a journey through time that makes both the struggles and the hopes of the people of Rostock understandable over more than four decades. Take the chance and find out more about the multi-faceted history of this city!