Migrant workers in West Berlin

loading video

locations

information

Due to the shortage of skilled labour in West Berlin, workers are recruited from other countries in the 1960s. Many of Berlin's new residents come from Turkey.

Hairdresser Suleyman Ilkan works in a salon at Zoo Station and learns German on the job, allowing him to act as an interpreter for his fellow countrymen when they arrive at Zoo Station.

locations

Berlin-West, Bahnhof Zoo

showtime
5

latitude
52.50670071

longitude
13.33242416

date

November 04, 1968
The Battle of Tegeler Weg

The Battle of Tegeler Weg breaks out during a court hearing against Horst Mahler, the lawyer of the APO, marking the violent climax of the extraparliamentary opposition movement. Charges have been brought against Mahler for his involvement in the protests at the Springer publishing house on 11 April 1968, the evening of the assassination attempt on Rudi Dutschke. The case sparks violent clashes between students and the police on Tegeler Weg, resulting in 130 injured police officers and 22 injured protesters. The incident is viewed as a watershed in the history of the APO – the end of a peaceful movement.

Politics, Opposition, West

00:46
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
October 26, 1968
Olympic gold medallist Manfred Wolke

East and West German athletes are competing in different teams at the Olympic Games for the first time – with different anthems, but still with the same flag. Boxer Manfred Wolke wins a gold medal for the GDR.

Contemporary Witnesses, Culture, East

00:46
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
1968
Introduction of transit visas

In 1968 West Berliners travel on holiday by long-distance coach. But this method of transport is not without its drawbacks: in mid-June 1968 the GDR introduces a mandatory passport and visa fee for transit traffic between Berlin (West) and the Federal Republic. The charge of five West German marks per person will give a significant boost to the GDR's foreign currency reserves.

Border, Politics, West, East

01:13
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
June 01, 1968
Prague Spring

East Berlin in the early summer of nineteen sixty-eight. Alexanderplatz is a huge building site: socialism is getting a makeover and the GDR capital is set to become a modern showcase of the Republic. In June 1968 18-year-old Toni Krahl, who will later front the rock band City, travels to Prague and is impressed by what he finds there: "socialism with a human face". However, on 21 August 1968 half a million soldiers from the Warsaw Pact countries invade the CSSR, crushing the Prague Spring. The authorities in East Berlin welcome the intervention and convict 1,200 people who take to the streets in protest, including Toni Krahl.

Contemporary Witnesses, Politics, Opposition, East

04:00
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
1968
Attack on Rudi Dutschke

Nineteen sixty-eight is the year of student protests, above all against the war in Vietnam, the clampdown in Prague and the emergency laws. West Berlin's Ku'damm has gone from shopping boulevard to protest hub, much to the outrage of many born-and-bred Berliners. One of the leaders of the extraparliamentary opposition, or APO, is Rudi Dutschke. He survives an assassination attempt on 11 April 1968, but is seriously injured. The protesters accuse the Springer press of being complicit in the attack. Michael Ludwig Müller looks back at that turbulent year.

Contemporary Witnesses, Politics, Opposition, West

04:07
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
1969
GDR dissident Florian Havemann

The GDR is preparing for its 20th birthday. Alexanderplatz is being redeveloped and the new centre is gradually taking shape. Everything must be finished in time for grand celebrations in October. Not all young GDR citizens are in the mood for celebrating. Florian Havemann, the son of dissident Robert Havemann, has just been released from prison, where he was sent for his involvement in protests against the invasion in Prague. Florian Havemann is among a group of dissidents who are fighting for "socialism with a human face".

Contemporary Witnesses, Politics, Opposition, East

01:53
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
1969
The women's movement and anti-authoritarian kindergartens

The advancement of women is a growing priority in the GDR. The Action Committee on the Liberation of the Woman and anti-authoritarian kindergartens are founded in West Berlin. Film director Helke Sander recalls how she, too, needed a kindergarten place back then. She was still a student and made use of one of the new childcare facilities set up in empty shops. However, some of the committee's plans to promote women's lib and an anti-authoritarian approach to raising children fall by the wayside.

Contemporary Witnesses, Everyday Life, West, East

02:40
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
1969
The Wall: video surveillance and tourist attraction

West Berlin customs officials have started to document events at the Wall. The Wall has also long been a tourist attraction. The Berlin Wall Memorial is the central memorial site documenting Germany's partition, located at the historic site of Bernauer Strasse: http://www.berliner-mauer-gedenkstaette.de

Border, Escaping, West, East

00:38
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
March 05, 1969
Election of President of the Federal Republic, Gustav Heinemann

On 5 March 1969, the West German Federal Assembly elects Gustav Heinemann to the post of Federal President in West Berlin. His election is taken as a sign of the political reorientation in Bonn: in autumn 1969 a social-liberal coalition comes to power in the Federal Republic, led by Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt. East Berlin accuses the West Germans of violating the city’s special status by holding the presidential election in West Berlin and seals off transit routes. GDR chief commentator Karl-Eduard von Schnitzler lashes out on East German television, remarking that there is a village in the West German state of Schleswig-Holstein called Berlin. He suggests the Federal Assembly go and elect its Federal President there.

Politics, West

01:04
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
1969
The GDR's 20th anniversary

Presents to celebrate the Republic's birthday: the World Time Clock and the TV Tower on Alexanderplatz – at 368 metres, it is still Germany's tallest building today.

Contemporary Witnesses, Everyday Life, East

01:36
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD

location

1981
Christiane F.

The film Christiane F. – Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo tells the story of Christiane Felscherinow from Gropiusstadt in Berlin. Christiane became addicted to heroin after coming into contact with drugs for the first time through friends in 1974. The film is based on the book Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo, and features harrowing scenes of life as a young drug addict in West Berlin.

Culture, West

00:54
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
November 1980
New pandas for the zoo

The Chinese government gives the West German Chancellor, Helmut Schmidt, two pandas. Bao-Bao and Tien-Tien take up residence in the zoo in West Berlin, and soon win hearts throughout the city.

Everyday Life, West

00:28
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
1975
Jacob the Liar competes at the Berlinale

This is the first year that filmmakers from East Berlin have participated in the Berlinale, West Berlin’s international film festival. Director Frank Beyer and writer Jurek Becker enter their film, Jacob the Liar, in the competition section.

Culture, West, East

00:44
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
April 1972
Entry permits over Easter

For the first time since 1966, West Berliners will be allowed to travel to East Berlin over Easter. Applying for a visitor's permit is a complicated process. Nevertheless, over three days nearly 60,000 people submit travel applications at five specially set-up offices. The applications are processed by undercover Stasi agents from East Berlin. Gert Knecht remembers the situation in the offices only too well, but also recalls the joy of seeing friends and relatives again for the first time in six long years.

Border, Contemporary Witnesses, Politics, West, East

02:48
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
October 1980
Cost of visiting the East rises

The GDR raises the amount of money that Westerners have to change when they visit East Berlin. It now stands at 25 Deutsche marks per day. That makes the trip too expensive for many West Berliners who, until now, have regularly visited friends and relatives in the East.

Border, Politics, West, East

01:08
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
February 1980
Solo Sunny

East and West both participate in the Berlin International Film Festival. The GDR has entered the DEFA film Solo Sunny in the competition section. East Berlin actress Renate Krössner surprises everyone by winning the Silver Bear for her performance in the title role. Renate has director Konrad Wolff to thank for being able to collect her award in person. She talks about the trip and how she never expected to be able to travel to West Berlin.

Contemporary Witnesses, Culture, West, East

02:06
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
1966
Deadbeats at the Church of Remembrance

Young people are lazing around the Church of Remembrance and getting Berliners hot under their collars. They have long hair and are known as deadbeats. These young people are trying out a new way of living that goes beyond merely working and consuming. Meinhard Schröder looks back at those times. He believes that a lot of born-and-bred West Berliners had forgotten how to think and a Wall had formed in their heads. Meinhard recalls one of the standard arguments back then: "Why don't you just go over to the East?"

Contemporary Witnesses, Everyday Life, West

01:44
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
May 1974
Willy Brandt steps down

Günter Guillaume, a close aide of Willy Brandt, is exposed as a Stasi agent, prompting Brandt to step down as Federal Chancellor on 6 May 1974. Berliners are dismayed: Brandt symbolises the policy of easing tensions which has led to significant improvements to everyday life in the divided city. The day of his resignation, they come out onto the streets to demonstrate their support.

Politics, West

00:39
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
October 1973
The oil crisis hits Berlin

The oil embargo of 1973 was a politically motivated crisis. OPEC decided to cut oil production by approximately five percent. The aim was to put pressure on Western nations who were supporting Israel in the Yom Kippur War in October 1973. On 17 October 1973 the price of oil rose from around three US dollars per barrel (159 litres) to over five dollars, equivalent to an increase of approximately 70 percent. The oil crisis also had an impact on West Berlin, causing petrol shortages and rationing. The Federal Government even introduced car-free Sundays.

Politics, Culture

03:01
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD
November 1989
East Germans go West

In November 1989, East Berliners pour over the border in their Trabants, or Trabis as they are affectionately known. West Berlin has never seen anything like it. Every GDR citizen gets 100 Deutsche marks as a welcome gift. After queuing up at the bank, the new arrivals take their money and crowd into shopping centres around West Berlin. Some West Berliners are quick to complain about the shops being so full, but most people are very understanding.

Everyday Life, West, East

00:57
Video versions:
- SD ,
- MD