A Moving Glimpse into the Past

Our Day Trip to the Hohenschönhausen Memorial

On Friday, June 13th, our class, VS27/3, together with our teachers, Ms. Otto and Ms. Nieswandt, embarked on a memorable day trip to Berlin. Our destination was the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial, formerly the central remand prison of the East German secret police (Stasi).

A particularly special tour awaited us there: we were guided by a second-generation eyewitness whose mother had once been imprisoned in this very facility. His powerful account of her story gave us a profound and personal perspective on the oppressive mechanisms of the GDR regime. His vivid narration, paired with the haunting atmosphere of the historical site, brought the reality of political persecution into stark and tangible focus.

The visit was not only educational, but also deeply moving. For many of us, it was through this intimate encounter that we truly grasped the importance of confronting the past in order to better understand the present and assume responsibility for shaping the future.

After the tour, we had some free time to explore the area in small groups. We ended the day together with Ms. Otto and Ms. Nieswandt by the Spree River, enjoying a cold drink. In a relaxed setting, we played “Werewolf” and cherished the time spent together—a perfect close to a powerful and thought-provoking outing.

Our day in Hohenschönhausen left a lasting impression on us. It made us acutely aware that democracy cannot be taken for granted, and underscored the vital importance of protecting and actively participating in it.

Amanda and Falak