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The Stasi: Life under Surveillance in East Germany with Dr. Finn Ballard

The Stasi: Life under Surveillance in East Germany with Dr. Finn Ballard


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In this Conversation, we'll investigate the history of the secret police force of Cold War-era East Germany: the Staatsicherheitsdienst, or the Ministry of Security, known as the 'Stasi.' We'll learn the truth behind the movie 'The Lives of Others' about an organization as absurd as it was sinister, for which up to a sixth of the East German population is believed to have worked at some point in their lives - albeit, for the most part, in an unofficial and not entirely reliable context. We'll learn the stories of Stasi chiefs Erich Mielke - for a brief period, Germany's oldest prisoner - and the elusive Markus Wolf, 'the man without a face.' We'll see how the Stasi technique of psychological warfare, known as 'decomposition,' destroyed the lives of many believed to be enemies of the East German state; and how inmates suffered at the Hohenschönhausen prison in Berlin until 1989. We'll see how shredded Stasi files, documenting the minutiae of everyday life for anyone under suspicion, are being put back together to this day, And we'll reflect upon the ramifications of this culture of mistrust and suspicion for modern-day life in Germany. 

Led by an expert on modern German history, Dr. Finn Ballard, this Conversation will investigate the all-too-recent story of surveillance and oppression in the German Democratic Republic. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of Cold War history and everyday life in East Germany.

Finn grew up in Northern Ireland before moving to England to study and later teach in the department of Film and Literature at the University of Warwick. He completed his doctoral study on German folklore and popular cinema in 2012, and has published extensively in the fields of Film Studies and Gender Studies. Since 2008, he has been living and guiding in Berlin. He now works as a historical advisor for television and film productions set in Berlin, particularly during the Weimar era or Third Reich. He is a journalist for the 'Siegessauele', Europe's foremost Queer magazine, and organises events at Berlin's English-language bookstore 'Another Country'.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
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(4)
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B
Barb MacDonald (Victoria, CA)

Guest did not leave comment

B
Bonnie Gale (Briarcliff Manor, US)
A very interesting lecture

I had certainly heard of the Stasi but Finn really made the topic come alive with the history, stories and photos. I really learned a lot.

P
Pamela M (Orlando, US)
As usual excellent presentation

Dr. Ballard is an excellent presenter. He is knowledgeable and engages with his viewers. He tackles difficult subjects and makes them relevant so that viewers might actually learn from history and not repeat mistakes. He is engaging, humble and enjoyable. This was a new topic and well researched and presented.

S
Suzette Shelmire (Oxford, US)
Staci Life unsurveilance

Once again Finn Ballard has waked me to a new subject I was not aware of. I love his talks on W.W 1 , and the 3rd Reich. Every one of his seminars are a wonderful lesson!

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
100%
(4)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
B
Barb MacDonald (Victoria, CA)

Guest did not leave comment

B
Bonnie Gale (Briarcliff Manor, US)
A very interesting lecture

I had certainly heard of the Stasi but Finn really made the topic come alive with the history, stories and photos. I really learned a lot.

P
Pamela M (Orlando, US)
As usual excellent presentation

Dr. Ballard is an excellent presenter. He is knowledgeable and engages with his viewers. He tackles difficult subjects and makes them relevant so that viewers might actually learn from history and not repeat mistakes. He is engaging, humble and enjoyable. This was a new topic and well researched and presented.

S
Suzette Shelmire (Oxford, US)
Staci Life unsurveilance

Once again Finn Ballard has waked me to a new subject I was not aware of. I love his talks on W.W 1 , and the 3rd Reich. Every one of his seminars are a wonderful lesson!