Ooh that was such an interesting read ,just recently there was a TV programme on BBC Michael Portillo and his great European railway journeys, he basically goes to places by train whilst wearing some rather colourful outfits, anyway this particular episode he was in Hungary and actually went Sopron talked to someone about 'The picnic' so it hasn't been forgotten. Also I see 'The lives of others' is being made into a play with Keira Knightly.
That was fascinating. I did not realise about this widening hole in the Curtain and its significance for the eventual dismantling of the Wall. Thank you as always.
I’ve read about the Stasi inserting itself into the Lutheran Church (God’s Spies, Elizabeth Braw, Lion 2019) and training officers to write poetry (The Stasi Poetry Circle, Philip Olterman, Faber & Faber 2022) but it never crossed my mind they would spy on GDR tourists in Hungary. Yet another spectacular waste of time and resources. The regime’s paranoia must have been off the scale. Let me also attach myself to Dave’s and Katja’s comments about The Picnic (Matthew Longo, Bodley Head 2024), a terrific book. The Stasi still spying in February ‘90, what were they thinking? A good read on Thursday morning. Hope the appearance on talk show went well.
Ooh that was such an interesting read ,just recently there was a TV programme on BBC Michael Portillo and his great European railway journeys, he basically goes to places by train whilst wearing some rather colourful outfits, anyway this particular episode he was in Hungary and actually went Sopron talked to someone about 'The picnic' so it hasn't been forgotten. Also I see 'The lives of others' is being made into a play with Keira Knightly.
That was fascinating. I did not realise about this widening hole in the Curtain and its significance for the eventual dismantling of the Wall. Thank you as always.
Such an interesting article, especially because I lived in Vienna in 1979-1981 and 1986-1987.
Love all your pieces!
Will you be touring in the US for Weimar? Especially in DC?
I’ve read about the Stasi inserting itself into the Lutheran Church (God’s Spies, Elizabeth Braw, Lion 2019) and training officers to write poetry (The Stasi Poetry Circle, Philip Olterman, Faber & Faber 2022) but it never crossed my mind they would spy on GDR tourists in Hungary. Yet another spectacular waste of time and resources. The regime’s paranoia must have been off the scale. Let me also attach myself to Dave’s and Katja’s comments about The Picnic (Matthew Longo, Bodley Head 2024), a terrific book. The Stasi still spying in February ‘90, what were they thinking? A good read on Thursday morning. Hope the appearance on talk show went well.
Wonderful country is Hungary , and seconded about “the picnic “ excellent read , enjoyed that Katja , cracking article 👍