The Palace of the Republic, which was also dubbed Erich’s lamp shop (Erich Honecker was the former leader of the German Democratic Republic) because of the large number of lights and ceiling lamps, was a particular testament to the architecture of the former East Germany. After its opening in April 1976, it became not only the seat of the “People’s Assembly”, the parliament of the GDR, and the venue for prestigious events of the SED party conferences, but also served as a public arts centre for events and cultural programmes of all types. Concerts by national and international artists were held in the Great Hall, which could accommodate up to 5,000 visitors. Its own theatre, major exhibitions, restaurants and bowling alleys turned the Palace into a popular attraction for all GDR citizens. It was intended to demonstrate progress, a high standard of living, economic stability and solidarity with the people. Due to its wide range of cultural and leisure facilities, the Palace of the Republic was thus a popular institution on the one hand, but on the other also a symbol of the state and its ideology. In January 1993, almost three years after the final closure of the building, Thorsten Klapsch portrayed the untouched and still completely furnished Palace, and with this comprehensive work captured for posterity a part of German history.
Size 31 x 31 cmHigh-quality cloth bound with dust jacket120 pages with 65 colour photographsWith an introductive text in German and EnglishDesigned by Edition Panorama
ISBN 978-3-89823-429-0
48.00 EUR
19.80 EUR
