Logo
Prev
Bookmark
Rotate
Print
Next
Contents
All Pages
Related Articles
Browse Issues
Help
Search
Home
'
National Geographic : 1982 Jan
Contents
lands and 10 campsites offer pine-scented respite from the clamor of industrialization. Although the state heatedly seeks to sepa rate itself from the Nazi past, Prussian mili tary tradition has not lost a stride in East Berlin. It honors the Memorial to the Vic tims of Fascism and Militarism with steel helmeted bandsmen tra-ra-ing Prussian marches, while goose-stepping guards in heavy black boots slam about the front of the memorial with rifles. Yet only in the past few years have the Prussian roots been acknowledged by a cau tious but increasingly confident state. And the word "German" is just now losing its bit ter taste. Select figures such as Martin Luther have been elevated to the socialist pantheon. And, most symbolically, the equestrian statue of Frederick the Great, banished to Potsdam for 30 years, has been remounted on its pedestal on Unter den Lin den. All day people come and just stare at the reborn "Comrade Fritz" with affection. From the Prussian past, too, East Berlin ers have inherited a stoic sense of duty and industriousness. In their 20 years of isolation they have goaded the East German economy to the highest level of all the Soviet bloc countries, a position that seemed only rea sonable to some East Berliners. Said one: "Of course I have it better than the Bulgar ians. I'm a German." At the 7th October machine-tool factory in the district of Marzahn, I asked a foreman NationalGeographic,January 1982
Links
Archive
1982 Feb
1981 Dec
Navigation
Previous Page
Next Page