| The information centre and the documentation of the administration responsible for the archives of Stasis (BstU) has relocated to 90-91 Zimmerstraße, close to the former crossing point of Friedrichstraße, which was part of East Berlin. |
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european institute of cultural routes |
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| Michel Thomas-Penette |
| 17 July 2010 |
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The centre only transited through this area, and it would have, for the first time, meetings, workshops and debates as well as small temporary exhibitions. They will start these activities from the beginning of 2011. Once the renovation of ‘Building 1’ is finished at Berlin-Lichtenberg, the centre will set up the former headquarters of the Ministry of State Security (Stasis).
The 90/91 Zimmerstraße, located close to the famous checkpoint, Checkpoint Charlie, has experienced a turbulent history. Designed at the end of the 19th century to house an indoor market, it underwent its first transformation in 1910 to become the largest ballroom in Berlin. The Nazis used it successfully as a meeting and printing place, then used it to consolidate Jewish forces before their deportation. From 1961, the building is found in the inaccessible border area of East Berlin. The Berlin wall stood in front of the building overlooking the street, dividing the Zimmerstraße lengthways. Many officials of the Stasis were stationed at the corner of Friedrichstraße and Zimmerstraße, which were checkpoints. Amongst other tasks, the secret police of East Germany was responsible for ‘ensuring the interests of the socialist state border’.
The information centre and the BstU documents offers lectures on Stasis’ history, structure and influence. The teachers and pupils are welcomed to workshops and projects organised by the centre. This offer is completed by syndication, IT support, events and small temporary exhibits. People who are interested can also file a request for consulting the archives next to BstU.
In January 2011, the Zimmerstraße information centre launches its new permanent exhibition of the federal delegate in charge of the Stasis documents. The visitors will find a concentration of information on the secret police, its approach to interfere daily with people’s privacy and what happened to some people. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue, an audio guide, and complementary information in the reading room.
Source : Press office and information from the German federal government. |
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