frauenHAFT – Soviet Repression and the GDR Prison System (1945–1956)

In the Soviet Occupation Zone, Soviet military tribunals sentenced thousands of women to long prison terms. Many were detained in special camps. From the summer of 1948 onwards, the largest group was held in the Sachsenhausen special camp. In early February 1950, the Soviet secret service transferred 1,119 women from the disbanded camp to the Hoheneck prison in the GDR. Among them were mothers with young children and pregnant women. To this day, very little is known about these women.

Through photographs, eyewitness accounts and personal mementoes, this travelling exhibition presents the biographies of twelve women. Their stories recount an almost forgotten chapter of post-war history, marked by persecution, injustice, suffering and resilience.

Free of charge, no booking required.

In German.

Location:
Gedenkstätte Leistikowstraße Potsdam
Leistikowstraße 1
14469 Potsdam