A Cold War escape from Czechoslovakia (279)

We return to Dirk’s story from episode 278 with a move to East Berlin following his mother’s divorce from his father.

Dirk finds school life more relaxed where pupils are allowed to wear Western clothing and to speak more openly, even questioning their teachers about the existence of the Berlin Wall.

After leaving school, Dirk starts work in a factory from which he can see into West Berlin and he longs for a life away from the restrictions of East Germany.

His mother’s new partner is a conscripted border guard who advises him not to attempt an escape over the Wall.

However, as East Germany starts to implode in November 1989 Dirks sees a chance to escape… 

We also hear of his and his family’s life in the new Germany where at school reunions the children of Stasi families reveal their secrets and his mother sees the contents of her Stasi file.

0:00 Introduction and Dirk's life in East Berlin

7:24 Dirk's career and encounters with international leaders

15:33 Dirk's changing perspectives on East Germany and life near the Berlin Wall

20:06 The risks of escaping East Germany and Dirk's involvement in 1989 demonstrations

24:18 Dirk's escape to West Germany

30:32 Arrival in West Germany and the reunion with his mother

36:43 The adjustment to the reunification of Germany

39:59 Post-reunification life and Dirk's connections with school friends

42:17 Discoveries from Stasi files and the impact on Dirk's family

44:53 Closing remarks and promotion of episode extras

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Dirk's previous episode https://coldwarconversations.com/episode278/

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