A very interesting chat. I find the whole subject of the individual East German experience of reunification fascinating. A time of mixed emotions and not everyone thought it was for the best. When I recently visited Colditz Castle our guide, Steffi, came from the town which was about as far east in Germany as one could get it. I took the opportunity to ask her about the night the wall 'fell'. She explained that she had heard rumours, stories however she only believed when she saw it on West German news broadcasts. Sabine's first book Eisenkinder is another one that needs an English language edition. You, she and Dirk Oschmann leading the way to a better understanding perhaps.
Great interview, made even better by the fact that you are both from the East and have some common experiences. Might have to stretch my brain and try to read Eisenkinder.
Great interview. I hope her book is released in English; I'd love to read it.
Some of the experiences/attitudes she shared about her family not being interested in her experiences once she'd left home, not reading her books, being suspicious of higher learning, etc., are familiar to me as a southerner (US). In the small town I grew up in (but not in my family, my parents were teachers) many people are disparaging about anyone considered to be an "elite", are suspicious of those who don't do some sort of manual or blue collar labor, and aren't especially curious about or interested in life in a bigger city or even a different place at all.
As far as defiant nostalgia for days gone by, when I was in high school, many of the (white) boys wore Confederate flag belt buckles and listened to country music with titles such as "The South Will Rise Again". That kind of sentiment about the pre-Civil War era south is more under wraps now, it's finally become less acceptable to openly long for a time of slavery, but I'm sure it's still there.
Those are the people I think of when I hear about the rise of the AfD in eastern Germany - many of the reasons I read for AfDs appeal are very familiar in the context of why the people in my hometown vote overwhelmingly for hard line Republicans.
That's really interesting, Kayla. Some of the dynamics indeed sound very similar. On a recent trip to Washington, I was also struck how difficult it still is for the US to get the part of its history where the nation was divided into one national narrative that could form some sort of consensus. I'm glad our conversation struck a chord with you.
A very interesting chat. I find the whole subject of the individual East German experience of reunification fascinating. A time of mixed emotions and not everyone thought it was for the best. When I recently visited Colditz Castle our guide, Steffi, came from the town which was about as far east in Germany as one could get it. I took the opportunity to ask her about the night the wall 'fell'. She explained that she had heard rumours, stories however she only believed when she saw it on West German news broadcasts. Sabine's first book Eisenkinder is another one that needs an English language edition. You, she and Dirk Oschmann leading the way to a better understanding perhaps.
Thank as ever for your interest and curiosity, James. I wish we had some more of that in Germany too. Things would be so much easier to talk about.
Fantastisch, enjoyed that 👏👏👏
Fascinating conversation, thank you both!
Great interview, made even better by the fact that you are both from the East and have some common experiences. Might have to stretch my brain and try to read Eisenkinder.
Great interview. I hope her book is released in English; I'd love to read it.
Some of the experiences/attitudes she shared about her family not being interested in her experiences once she'd left home, not reading her books, being suspicious of higher learning, etc., are familiar to me as a southerner (US). In the small town I grew up in (but not in my family, my parents were teachers) many people are disparaging about anyone considered to be an "elite", are suspicious of those who don't do some sort of manual or blue collar labor, and aren't especially curious about or interested in life in a bigger city or even a different place at all.
As far as defiant nostalgia for days gone by, when I was in high school, many of the (white) boys wore Confederate flag belt buckles and listened to country music with titles such as "The South Will Rise Again". That kind of sentiment about the pre-Civil War era south is more under wraps now, it's finally become less acceptable to openly long for a time of slavery, but I'm sure it's still there.
Those are the people I think of when I hear about the rise of the AfD in eastern Germany - many of the reasons I read for AfDs appeal are very familiar in the context of why the people in my hometown vote overwhelmingly for hard line Republicans.
That's really interesting, Kayla. Some of the dynamics indeed sound very similar. On a recent trip to Washington, I was also struck how difficult it still is for the US to get the part of its history where the nation was divided into one national narrative that could form some sort of consensus. I'm glad our conversation struck a chord with you.
Fascinating conversation with two fascinating women.
Thsnk you both so much for sharing it.