September 2009: It has been twenty years since the events leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Earlier this year, I wrote a play, designed for radio, about one particular day - 9 October 1989 - which was instrumental in the fall of the inner German border exactly a month afterwards. I sent the play to the BBC but they showed no interest. I have also sent it to the archives of the civic movement in Leipzig, where I did some research a year ago when I was attending the Queen and Paul Rodgers concert in Berlin!
So I'm now reproducing it here:
The Day That Changed Germany
An
historical drama for radio set in Leipzig in the autumn of 1989
Written
using the following source material:
‘Der
Tag, der Deutschland veränderte’ by Martin Jankowski, Evangelische
Verlaganstalt Leipzig, 2007
Neues Forum Leipzig: ‘Jetzt oder nie – Demokratie!’, Forum Verlag Leipzig, 1989
and with the help of material from:
A
special thanks to the Archivbürgerbewegung Leipzig e.V. for their kind
assistance
Dedicated
to all the fellow students I came to know at the Karl Marx University, Leipzig,
in the summer term of 1983.
Characters
(in order of appearance):
Christel
Kunz, just under 40
Volker
Kunz, Christel’s husband, just over 40
Thilo
Kunz, Christel and Volker’s son, 14
Daggi
Kunz, Christel and Volker’s daughter, 16
Werner,
a work colleague of Volker’s and member of the workers’ task force
Secretary
at Christel’s office (female)
Martina
Acker, daughter of Christel’s work colleague Susanne and school- friend of
Daggi
Susanne
Acker, a work colleague of Christel’s
Prof.
Walter Friedrich*
Assistant in Government Offices (male)
Egon
Krenz*
Günter
Schabowski*
Stasi
Official (male)
Michael,
a fellow member of the workers’ task force alongside Werner
Policeman
New
Forum Member (female)
Pastor
Führer*
Bishop
Hempel*
Assistant
in church (male)
Dr.
Reitwein*
Eva,
a demonstrator who befriends Daggi
Another policeman
Voice
on radio (female)
Prof.
Kurt Masur*
Erich
Honecker*
Army
Chief Streletz*
Frau
Richter, Christel’s mother
Delivery
Man
*Actual
historical figures
Introduction
Christel: Hello, My name is
Christel Kunz. I’m an office worker, am married to Volker, a craftsman, and
have two children – Daggi, who’s 16 and Thilo, who’s 14. You join us in
our home in Leipzig, then the German Democratic Republic, one Sunday afternoon
– the 8th October 1989. What we were feeling then, well, (sighs) when all was
said and done, our whole country was nothing more than one boring Sunday
afternoon like that one. The old week had finished, but the new one kept on
waiting to begin….There’s Volker! He looks upset about something.
Scene
1
The
Kunz Family Home
CHRISTEL
What’s the matter, darling?
VOLKER:
The TV doesn’t work.
CHRISTEL:
You kicked it yesterday.
VOLKER:
I kicked it because it wasn’t working! I was trying to watch the
fortieth anniversary celebrations. Forty years – the country’s almost as old
as me. But it doesn’t feel like our lives are beginning. Quite the opposite…
CHRISTEL:
Just because things are falling to pieces here, that doesn’t mean they
should be for you, darling…
VOLKER:
How can I avoid thinking that, though? Look at the people we knew
who’ve left the country since the summer! Cornelia and Robert – I heard they
got out via Hungary into Austria when border controls there were relaxed. Then
there was Guido, camping in the grounds of the West German Embassy in Prague
with all those others, until, as I heard, he was allowed to leave as well, only
a few days ago! You know what the morning greeting is at work now?
Its “Ssh – or S S H”!
CHRISTEL:
So, still here? (sniggers). Yes I know. Those people left because they
were bored, like us. But they were younger, and didn’t have children…
FX:
SOUND OF CLOSING FRENCH WINDOWS
CHRISTEL:
You’re not thinking that we should leave too, are you?
VOLKER:
Why did you close the windows? Do you think that someone’s listening?
CHRISTEL:
Maybe they are. What about that chap next door, Müller? Wasn’t he
suspected of being an unofficial worker for those Stasi spies? He certainly did
enough snooping and prying at one time. I think it had something to do with
people watching the TV from West Germany. You know, we may get a lot more
valuable information on the western channels. But sometimes they show these
dramas – all about spies – as if there’s something romantic about it all.
Whoever imagines that it’s exciting to live under a regime with
secret police like this is deluding themselves…
VOLKER:
I know. And I just think of our illustrious leaders standing there
yesterday – the big parade passing by – and I think, why should I leave my
home because of them? Because Honecker and company have shut themselves into
their own obsolete and exclusive world of ‘socialist unity’? Thilo! Where
have you been hiding?
THILO:
I’ve been clearing up my room, dad, and I found this!
VOLKER:
The old toy Sputnik I made for you! Do you remember how it works?
THILO:
No, dad. I haven’t played with it for ages.
VOLKER:
Well, you’re not too big – because this is a highly technical gadget,
you know. Let’s get it to take off like the old days, eh?
FX:
SOUND OF VOLKER FIDDLING WITH TOY.
Let
me see…I think I have to do this now. No, that’s not it…
FX:
MORE SOUNDS OF FIDDLING WITH TOY
Here
we are! D’you know, we all used to dream of being cosmonauts when I was your
age. The Soviets had just sent Yuri Gagarin into space – the very first man
ever in space! The sputnik would just take off like this…
FX:
SOUND OF CRASH
THILO:
It’s crashed, dad.
VOLKER:
Yah – it’s not looking too good! Never mind, I’ll get it sorted.
THILO:
I’m going back upstairs. I’ve got a few more things to sort through.
VOLKER:
Alright, see you later. Just about sums it up…even my sputnik’s
crashed now!
CHRISTEL:
You poor thing! What do you think you’ll manage to get repaired first
– the Sputnik or the TV set?
VOLKER:
I don’t know. I only hope that neither take as long as your mother’s
iron. How long has she been waiting for that to be sorted now?
CHRISTEL:
Around three months, I think. She’d heard nothing about it so made
enquiries with the people’s electrical goods servicing company. They told her
that irons weren’t on the list of priority items. Poor mum! She hates wearing
creased clothes!
Volker:
Fancy keeping a 74-year-old woman waiting three months for an iron to be
repaired! The only things that are working in this country are us! And all too
often we’re only pretending to work now…
CHRISTEL:
Aren’t we just a little too tired of it all to make jokes about it any
more, darling?
VOLKER:
Yes, you’re right. It seems that people aren’t working because the
government isn’t, and in turn, they don’t want to support the government by
working. Maybe we should be out demonstrating like these people from ‘New
Forum’ – as they call themselves - have been doing every Monday here in
Leipzig for the past few weeks.
CHRISTEL:
Yes, and getting arrested for it.
VOLKER:
I wonder what happened to those demonstrators in Berlin yesterday?
CHRISTEL:
Which ones?
VOLKER:
The ones they showed on the West German news. They were shouting,
“Gorby, Gorby”!
CHRISTEL:
Could they be arrested for that? Cheering a Soviet leader?
VOLKER:
If our government realised why they were cheering him…
CHRISTEL:
Remember, Gorbachev was standing shoulder to shoulder with Honecker
yesterday…supposing there was another uprising in our land – like there was
back in Berlin on the 17th June ’53? All Honecker needs to put it down is some
help from the Soviet Army, just like that time! Has anyone dared to say boo to a
goose since?
Volker:
Why would the Soviets do that this time, though? Gorbachev’s
reforms are well underway - other socialist states are changing, and the Soviets
are doing nothing about it…I even heard on western radio that the Hungarian
Communist Party dissolved itself today. So why would Gorby change his policy for
us?
CHRISTEL:
Could the country that enslaved us really have come to save us this time?
VOLKER:
What did Gorbachev say yesterday?
CHRISTEL:
I don’t remember…
DAGGI
(from off): Hi, I’m home!
CHRISTEL:
Hello Daggi, had a good time at Martina’s?
DAGGI:
Yes thanks!
VOLKER:
Your mother and I were just trying to remember what Gorbachev said at the
fortieth anniversary celebrations yesterday…you watched that bit with us –
do you remember any of it?
DAGGI:
Yes – some poem about trying to unite with love – and whoever’s
right will decide the day…
CHRISTEL:
A little cryptic. I wonder…
DAGGI:
…if he would continue to support Honecker? I don’t think so!
CHRISTEL:
Oh yes, what makes you so certain?
DAGGI:
Oh, nothing – just a hunch. Look, I’m tired and I want to turn in
now…
VOLKER:
Sure, love. Your mother and I should too. Another Monday morning tomorrow
– another early start!
CHRISTEL:
(Yawns): Yes, I’m tired!
FX:
SOUND OF DAGGI, VOLKER AND CHRISTEL GOING UPSTAIRS
CHRISTEL:
One thing really concerns me though, darling
FX:
SOUND OF DOOR OPENING TO ENTER BEDROOMS
DAGGI:
Goodnight mum, goodnight, dad!
VOLKER
+ CHRISTEL: Goodnight, Daggi, goodnight
Thilo!
VOLKER:
Time you were asleep too, Thilo! Oh, you’re already in bed!
THILO:
Goodnight mum, goodnight, dad!
VOLKER:
You were saying…
CHRISTEL:
There’ll be more demonstrations in the town tomorrow, I’m sure. How
will it end up? Like it did in China in the summer? With the government opening
fire on its own people?
VOLKER:
Would Honecker try the ‘Chinese solution’ without Gorbachev’s
support?
CHRISTEL:
Hmm, I was just wondering about something else – did you notice
Daggi’s attitude? – since when did our daughter show such political
awareness?
VOLKER:
Yes, I wonder as well.
CHRISTEL:
But I can’t think about it anymore. I’m going to sleep. Goodnight,
darling.
VOLKER:
You’re quite right. Time to sleep. Goodnight, love.
FX:
THEY KISS. FADE OUT AND BACK IN TO SOUNDS OF SLEEP
The
next morning
DAGGI:
Morning mum, morning dad!
VOLKER:
Oh…(groaning) Is it morning already?
DAGGI:
Yup! Here’s your paper, dad!
VOLKER:
Thanks!
DAGGI:
And a cup of coffee!
VOLKER:
That’s great!
FX:
Sound of Volker leafing through the paper
and drinking coffee
VOLKER:
Ha! Here we are! Something in the local paper about the demonstrations
here on Saturday: “Hooligans disrupt normal life! On Saturday a group of
mainly young hooligans, organised and influenced by the western mass media,
temporarily brought the inner-city traffic to a standstill, thus disrupting
normality…”
CHRISTEL:
What “normality” is there to disrupt, when normal life is itself so
disrupted?
VOLKER:
Just what I was thinking! Listen to what else they say here!:
“We want peace and order in our town – if the mob culture gets worse and
more criminal – if this denigration of the power of the socialist state
continues, it will not end well…”
CHRISTEL:
I wonder, how will it end?
*****
CHRISTEL:
So there we were, on the morning of Monday, October 9th 1989. Later,
my husband Volker is at his factory workshop, talking with his colleague
Werner…
.
Scene
2
At Volker’s
work place
VOLKER:
Good morning, Werner!
WERNER:
Good morning, Volker!
VOLKER:
You’re going? Leaving the shift so early?
WERNER:
Michael and I have to go to serve in the workers’ task force. The
current five-year plan will have to survive without us for today.
VOLKER:
Press reports say that it’s going well, that socialist construction
continues…
WERNER:
“Life punishes the latecomer”.
VOLKER:
Sorry, what was that?
WERNER:
Come with me a moment, Volker.
FX:
STEPS ON CONCRETE IN THE FACTORY YARD
WERNER:
Did you not hear that Gorbachev said that on Saturday? “Life punishes
the latecomer”. It was on West-TV. Our own TV didn’t report it.
VOLKER:
(With sarcasm) Well there, I am surprised.
WERNER:
Our government is dangerously out of touch with reality, Volker. You know
you can see it yourself – buildings are slowly falling apart – our factory
is supposed to meet its quotas with antiquated machinery. What do you think that
Honecker does while all these problems are going on?
VOLKER:
Hide away in his luxury datscha and drink western cognac, I shouldn’t
wonder…
WERNER:
I’ll speak frankly, Volker. I love my country. I have been instructed
by the party to do my duty today, so I’ll go. If there are
counter-revolutionary hooligans making genuine threats of violence, we have to
nip such a movement in the bud. I’ve always believed in doing things within
the system – never considered leaving as others have. But my pleas for basic
safety in this work place are being ignored. Look, I left my overalls out here
last night. They’re already covered with soot from the chimneys. This is what
we breathe in on a daily basis, and the machines are so dilapidated that
they’re dangerous. (Whispers) If they can’t kill us with unsafe working
conditions, it appears that they are now looking to find other ways.
VOLKER:
What do you mean, Werner?
WERNER:
I mean, the pitting of citizen against citizen. They want us to destroy
each other – everything we’ve worked for to build up this republic.
Socialism is supposed to be about our welfare – but the socialism we have now
seems to be more about our destruction.
VOLKER:
You must take care, Werner! We need you at the factory!
WERNER:
Volker, remember what Honecker earlier this year – that the Berlin Wall
will stand for one hundred years! It protects the luxury lifestyle that he and
his cronies enjoy at the country’s expense. Look, you don’t have to take
your family with you, but go into town today. Go and have your say peacefully. I
think we need as many people to do that as possible.
VOLKER:
I never thought it would come to this, that we’d want to defy our
government with illegal protests…
WERNER:
(Angrily) Wake up, Volker! The time for acceptance of all this is over!
The chasm between what they tell us and the reality of our lives! Look around
you, is this your idea of a Workers’ and Farmers’ state? Our government get
fat cat benefits out of the system, we don’t! They don’t even have to
answer to us. This is why people are leaving! They’ve had enough! When
you have a dictatorship with a chink in its border, people will vote with their
feet.
VOLKER:
Christel and I want to stay – we don’t care to leave our roots. We
always thought that things might slowly improve, that the government would
acknowledge… but now…
WERNER:
But now we’re on the brink, Volker. Things will have to change. We’ll
have to accept as well that the changes could only be for the better in the long
run. (Pause) Is that the time? I have to leave now. Remember what I said –
leave the production line early today – there aren’t enough materials to
last you through the shift in any case – you’ll just have to do what you
can…
VOLKER:
I’ll give it some serious thought. Goodbye Werner - and take care!
WERNER:
For the fatherland!
*****
CHRISTEL:
Meanwhile, I arrive at my office…
Scene
3
At
Christel’s office
CHRISTEL:
Morning! Where’s Frau Acker?
Secretary: She has a hospital
appointment this morning, Frau Kunz.
Christel:
Oh yes, I remember her saying now. It’s just that I’m waiting for
some reports from her.
Secretary: You’re not the
only person looking for her. Her daughter’s waiting outside.
Christel:
Martina! What are you doing here? Why aren’t you at school?
Martina:
They’ve closed the school today and we were sent away. They told us
that something bad will happen in the town today and we would be better off at
home. Then the head teacher said that we shouldn’t go into town and that if we
did, we couldn’t expect any help from him.
Christel:
Something bad? What do they know that we don’t? Isn’t Daggi with you?
Martina:
No, she went in the other direction. I just assumed she was going home. I
went with another friend whose mum works in a shop just on the edge of the town
centre. My friend’s mum told us that she’s been instructed to close by five
at the latest tonight. Afterwards I came here - because by then it was closer
than home.
Christel:
This is all very strange…well, I’ll get my husband to check at home
later for Daggi.
FX:
Sound of door opening
Secretary:
Frau Acker is here!
Christel:
Susanne! Was everything alright at the hospital? Martina’s here!
SUSANNE:
Martina! What’s happening?
CHRISTEL:
She was telling me that she was sent home from school…They said it’s
not safe to keep it open today! Then the shops have to close by five…
Susanne:
Oh Christel, I don’t want to frighten you, but that’s not all! You
should’ve heard what I heard at the hospital! First of all, I overheard
a lot of people talking. They mentioned that there was something in the paper
– a military commander had talked about an armed attack today…
CHRISTEL:
Really?
SUSANNE:
And that’s not all! One of the nurses – an old school friend of mine
- told me quietly that they’ve been given orders to prepare for the “defeat
of the counter-revolution”. She said it’s not clear what injuries they will
have to deal with, so they’re ready for both impact and…and firearms
injuries…They’re going to provide extra blood supplies apparently…
Christel:
What?
Susanne:
Christel – I would never have thought it – that it would come to this
- a workers’ state attacking the workers…
CHRISTEL:
So it looks like they’re going to copy the Chinese after all – I can
only hope that these rumours aren’t true…
SUSANNE:
Didn’t you hear what happened to those demonstrators in the Karl Marx
Square at the weekend?
CHRISTEL:
No..,
SUSANNE:
They were beaten with truncheons!
CHRISTEL:
I’m going to call Volker’s work place. When he finishes his shift, he
can go and pick up Daggi and Thilo and come and meet us here. Then we’ll all
go into town together.
SUSANNE:
Are you sure, Christel?
CHRISTEL:
Of course I’m sure. Why do you ask?
SUSANNE:
It’s just that…the people I overheard talking at the hospital…some
were talking about going into town but spoke of arranging for only one
adult in their family to go in case something happens Maybe you should
consider…
CHRISTEL:
No, we’re all in this together. We won’t be bullied.
We’ll face anything there is to be faced as a family – there’s no
other way.
*****
CHRISTEL
Meanwhile, in Berlin, the Leipzig professor Walter Friedrich, is making a
call on his old friend - the senior government official, Egon Krenz.
Scene
4
GOVERNMENT
OFFICES, BERLIN
FRIEDRICH:
Good morning. May I see Comrade Krenz, please?
ASSISTANT:
Do you have an appointment, Professor Friedrich?
FRIEDRICH:
No, but I must see him urgently. It’s really a matter of life and
death.
ASSISTANT:
(With an expression of curious surprise) One moment, please. I’ll see
what I can do.
FX: DOOR OPENS
ASSISTANT:
He
will see you. Please go in.
FRIEDRICH:
Ah, Good Morning Egon.
KRENZ:
Good morning, Walter. This is a surprise. How may I help you?
FRIEDRICH:
(Agitated) Egon, I’ll get straight to the point. No blood must be
allowed to flow today in Leipzig. The party really has to learn to live with an
opposition. Comrade Honecker should resign…if only you knew how panic-stricken
people in Leipzig are – every day the rumours grow stronger that something
will happen to stop the demonstrations! Egon, things have been relatively
peaceful up to now! Will it really come to it that people may lose their lives?
KRENZ:
Walter, thank you for taking the trouble to come and inform me about
this. I take your concerns on board. You may be a little tired from your
journey? I’ll arrange for you to have some top quality coffee! But I’m
sorry, I have to go now. I’ve some urgent business to attend to. Erich
is receiving a senior Chinese government official later on.
FRIEDRICH:
Chinese? I hope it’s not to get any tips as to how to go about tacking
a protest! Very well, Egon, but please take note of what I’ve said and pass it
on!
KRENZ:
Goodbye Walter!
FX:
DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS. THEN OPENS AGAIN.
ASSISTANT:
Comrade
Schabowski wishes to see you.
SCHABOWSKI:
Morning, Egon! Who was that?
KRENZ:
That was an old friend of mine from Leipzig, Günter. He came to talk to
me about the situation there. He thinks that Erich should resign.
SCHABOWSKI:
Erich isn’t listening to anyone right now. He’s angry about being
preached to about reforms.
KRENZ:
He said he’s no need of Gorbachev’s reforms – he said that they
were dangerous, because he was in Moscow recently and saw shops with lots of
empty shelves.
SCHABOWSKI:
Ah. Re-structuring in the Soviet Union is bound to carry its problems.
But then again, Erich’s easily fooled in his old age. Doesn’t he realise
that there were always empty shelves to a degree – they just kept them hidden
from him before! Now they don’t - It’s called glasnost.
KRENZ:
It’s clear that if people here were just worried about what’s on the
shelves, they wouldn’t be leaving. This is 1989, not 1945!
SCHABOWSKI:
True! I do still see a parallel with the end of the war, though – the
way people were shouting, “Gorby, Gorby!” yesterday, it seems that they want
the Russians to liberate them all over again…
KRENZ:
Ha, Günter, you have a wicked sense of humour! There are many things
that are clearly wrong. We know they need fixing. Let’s talk more about this
again later on.
FX:
FADE OUT OF SCENE
*****
CHRISTEL:
Back at my office, Volker and Thilo arrive.
Scene
5
AT
CHRISTEL’S OFFICE
CHRISTEL:
Isn’t Daggi with you?
VOLKER:
No, she wasn’t at home.
CHRISTEL:
I wonder where she is?
MARTINA:
Mrs Kunz, I think I might know.
CHRISTEL:
Do you, Martina?
MARTINA:
Daggi didn’t want anyone else to know about this, but it’s time to
come clean. She and I were together yesterday, but we went into town. We went to
take a look around there.
SUSANNE:
Take a look? Don’t you realise how dangerous that might have
been if there’d been another load of problems with a demonstration?
MARTINA:
I thought it might be dangerous – it was the first time for me. But
Daggi’s already an old hand. She’s been down there just about every Monday
since the demonstrations started last month. She said she would come down to
light a candle, like she’d seen other people doing. Then she would watch from
the sidelines…
CHRISTEL:
She didn’t tell us about this!
MARTINA:
She…she was afraid what your reaction might be…
CHRISTEL:
And dead right she should be! I’m sure she could have been arrested,
just for looking!
VOLKER:
Or investigated by the Stasi!………..
MARTINA:
She was concerned about getting mixed up in it, because at first she
thought it would just be people who were demonstrating because they wanted to
leave the country. But people were shouting, “We’re staying put!” She says
that the violence against the demonstrators has got worse week by week. The
police have become more and more brutal in their treatment of them. But all the
demonstrators seemed to want is peaceful dialogue with the government and for
the New Forum group to be officially recognised.
SUSANNE:
So what happened yesterday?
MARTINA:
We didn’t see anything particular happening. But as we were passing the
university, we saw something quite amazing Some Russian soldiers were asking
some students (in a Russian accent): “Do you want some boom-boom for your
demo?” I don’t know if they had any ammo to hand – but they were offering
help to an anti-government protest!
CHRISTEL:
Goodness, where are we living now? Would the Russians really help out
with such an action?
VOLKER:
So that explains why she was so sure last night that Gorbachev
wouldn’t support Honecker!
CHRISTEL:
Oh yes…
MARTINA:
The demonstrators wouldn’t take armed help from the Russians, of
course. They’re fully committed to keeping things peaceful. But I wanted to
tell you all this to explain that Daggi must already have gone into town now.
Once you said you were going too, I felt I just had to tell you…
SUSANNE:
You’ve done the right thing, darling. But promise you’ll never do
anything like this again without telling me first!
MARTINA:
Okay mum. I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to worry. I was scared myself.
SUSANNE:
Whatever we do now, we do it together. A family, like Christel, Volker,
Thilo and…I only hope that Daggi will be alright…
CHRISTEL:
It looks like our daughters are braver than we are…it’s made
me all the more determined. Let’s go!
VOLKER:
(In a worried tone) Are you sure want to got into town today,
darling?
CHRISTEL:
For sure, we’re both going - and we’ll be taking Thilo as well.
VOLKER:
No, it really wouldn’t be…
THILO:
Yeah, dad, let me go too!
VOLKER:
But Werner and Michael have been deployed in the workers’ task force -
Werner told me about it. It sounds like they have orders to take
action…
SUSANNE:
Wait, look out the window – you can get a good view and see anything
that’s happening before we set out.
CHRISTEL:
Good idea – oh look over there – there are soldiers with tanks and
water cannons. Then I can see rows of police with riot shields, truncheons and
helmets!
Susanne:
This may sound strange, but I don’t fear any of them. I fear for
what’s happening to my country, I fear for the future of our children.
Christel:
I can see that. (Quietly) Still, let’s hope we aren’t going to walk
into a bloodbath…
SUSANNE:
Can you see that banner those people are carrying over there? It says,
“Just as we demonstrate today, we will live tomorrow”. Christel, for years
we’ve been working for the outcome of the party’s motto: “Just as we work
today, we will live tomorrow”. I want to know if workers will ever live even
half as well as those officials on high. That I really would like to
know.
EXT
FX:
SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS LEAVING, OFFICE DOORS CLOSING. LOTS OF PEOPLE WALKING,
TALKING. GENERAL STREET NOISES., BUT NOT LOUD
Volker:
It’s eerily quiet out here.
CHRISTEL:
Yes, the atmosphere seems…tense.
THILO:
Dad, I’m scared!
VOLKER:
Don’t worry son, just stay with me! Let’s head for the main railway
station! And keep an eye out for Daggi, everyone!
MARTINA:
I’ll keep looking, but there are so many people!
SUSANNE:
Yes, it’ll take a while to get down to the railway station.
FX:
STREET SOUNDS FADE OUT AND IN
CHRISTEL:
Well, here we are – the railway station at last!
STASI
OFFICIAL: You might have misjudged the
situation, bringing two young people here!
VOLKER:
What do you mean? Look at that – he’s turned round and gone!
SUSANNE:
He just disappeared into a part of the crowd over there. Are you thinking
what I’m thinking?
VOLKER:
Yes, he was Stasi, for sure!
CHRISTEL:
Tsh, keep your voice down, Volker!
MARTINA:
Look over there!
SUSANNE:
Oh hell!
CHRISTEL:
What? I can’t see!
SUSANNE:
A line of policemen, charging this way!
FX:
SOUND OF DISTANT SCUFFLING
MARTINA:
They’re not that near any people yet…but they’ve stopped!
VOLKER:
Looks like they’ve been called back!
SUSANNE:
What can they do against this volume of people?
Volker:
This all looks ominous. I wonder where Werner and Michael are, and what
they’ll be doing right now…
…
*****
CHRISTEL:
In fact, Werner and Michael told us their story later on…this is what
happened…we join them as they approach the police station where they had been
ordered to report.
Scene
6
POLICE STATION IN THE CENTRE OF LEIPZIG
Werner:
So Michael, this is it. As were told back in September, ‘Day X’ would
take place this month. They said they want us “to make a proper job of it”.
MICHAEL:
Werner, calm down. You know we’ve discussed this in our unit already
– orders versus conscience.
WERNER:
Yes, we were unanimous, essentially, at least - we’re ready to carry
out the obligations of our oath. – to protect establishments and the life and
the health of people. But we also know that we’re not prepared to be used to
hinder discontented citizens of the German Democratic Republic. Let none of us
forget that!
MICHAEL:
We’ve arrived – here’s our appointed rendez-vous for deployment…
WERNER:
Okay, let’s take a look around.
MICHAEL:
Just follow us, everyone!
FX:
SOUNDS OF RUSTLING, SCUFFLING, MARCHING, RUNNING.
WERNER
(Whispering): Michael, have you
noticed, there’s no Party leadership here.
Michael:
Of course not – they’ve just
left it to us workers to save the republic on our own!
Werner:
Save it? But from whom?
Michael:
I don’t know, Werner. It’s chaos here. Look at all those police
officers running around. Hey you (turning to a policeman) - we’re from the
workers’ task force. Any idea what’s happening here? (Pause) Hey, he’s not
answering me. (Pause) What’s up with you?
Policeman:
(Angrily) Leave him alone, will you? He’s not talking to anyone right
now.
MICHAEL:
Woh, sorry! I didn’t know!
POLICEMAN:
(sighs) It’s okay, just step over here with me, I’ll explain. (In a
low voice) You see, he has strong views about needless violence, but he was one
of us police deployed on Saturday when he was ordered to use a water cannon
against peaceful demonstrators. He used it, but made sure it didn’t do any
more than trickle on people. Today, though, we’ve been told that we must obey
orders or we’ll face court and prison. Our officers have told us that if the
truncheons aren’t enough, then we must use pistols. So I asked them, “What
if there are children among the demonstrators?” and I was told, “It’s bad
luck for them”.
MICHAEL:
How can they expect this from you?
WERNER:
What are we coming to?
POLICEMAN:
A lot of us are just trying to take our minds off it – finding
something to do in the police club
kitchen – any excuse not to go out there. I keep thinking – my wife could be
among the demonstrators. Will I have to shoot her?
MICHAEL:
How do they expect you to think of such things?
WERNER:
That’s more than shocking. And can you tell me why policemen who are
ready for duty are all wearing old uniforms?
POLICEMAN:
The water cannons are being used again – this time with colouring
liquid to mark out the demonstrators. They want to spare our new uniforms from
being stained. If I were you, I would take your unit and just quickly make
yourselves scarce.
MICHAEL:
Sounds like a good idea to me!
WERNER:
What do you say, the rest of you?
TASK
FORCE: (In general assent): We’ll go. People may need our help. We may need
to protect property…
WERNER:
And you, Michael? What’s the matter? You’re trembling!
MICHAEL:
If the rest of you are all going, I’ll go too. But I was just thinking
about what that policeman was saying – many of us are husbands…and…and
fathers too…Why are we being forced to make such decisions?
WERNER:
I don’t know, Michael, I don’t know. I just ask that you come with us
only if you feel able.
MICHAEL:
I’m with you.
WERNER:
If you’re sure… let’s go, everyone!
EXT
FX:
Sound of crowd walking NEAR
them.
Crowd :
(Shouting) Filthy swine! Communist pigs! Traitors to the workers!
Werner:
Traitor to the workers? That I am not. I have never betrayed a
worker.
Michael:
I know, Werner. For what it’s worth, I’ll always back you. Even in
the most difficult times you’ve stood up for us.
WERNER:
Look at me now, though! Am I doing right by all of us, Michael?
MICHAEL:
Each one of us came to his own decision. (Pause). If it’s any comfort,
it looks like those who were shouting just now were just a minority of
trouble-makers. Look - most people
are demonstrating peacefully.
New
Forum Member:
Here, have a leaflet.
Werner:
Thank you. So tell me, what do you New Forum people stand for, exactly?
New Forum Member:
We desire honest reporting in the press. We think a discussion involving
all groups is necessary – the government and party leadership are ignorant of
the issues of those emigrating and of the problems here.
Werner:
Yes, I agree – there should also be a clear airing of the economic
situation. We all know what it’s really like in production here right now…
New Forum Member:
So, are you going to let us through, or truncheon us down?
Werner:
We’re against the use of truncheons.
New Forum Member:
No violence! We agree! See you, my fellow citizens!
Michael:
Well, this has been an eye-opener, Werner! We came here believing
we might be dealing with a mob – but look at them!
CROWD:
We are the people! We are the people!
Werner Indeed – so are we! Michael, there’ll be no more deployments like
this for us. I’ll report back to our superiors tomorrow…
CROWD:
No
violence! Join in! Gorby, Gorby!
*****
CHRISTEL:
In another part of Leipzig, at the church of St Nicholas, Bishop Hempel,
the bishop of nearby Dresden, is talking to a pastor when he gets an unexpected
call from a local party official.
Scene
7
THE
CHURCH OF ST NICHOLAS
Bishop
Hempel:
What’s happening here, pastor Führer?
Pastor
FÜHRER:
The church is filling up – the pews are almost all occupied!
BISHOP
HEMPEL:
But it’s only just after two! The prayers are not due to start until
five!
PASTOR
FÜHRER:
Yes, but these are not regulars – they’re Party members!
Bishop
Hempel:
Well, we say we’re open to everyone!
Pastor
FÜHRER:
Even those who’ve been sent here! I wonder what the big idea of all
this could be?
BISHOP
HEMPEL:
Pretty obvious, I should think. Occupy the pews and prevent other people
coming in.
Pastor
FÜHRER:
I’ll make sure I keep the gallery closed until the last minute, anyway.
Assistant:
Bishop Hempel, there’s a ‘phone call for you from the deputy chairman
of the local council.
bishop
Hempel
Hello?
Reitwein
(On ‘phone):
Bishop Hempel? It’s Reitwein here!
bishop
Hempel:
Dr. Reitwein – please, I ask you earnestly to ensure that no violence
is used against the demonstrators even if the demonstration itself becomes
violent!
Reitwein:
I will do my utmost, Bishop, but on your side, I ask you in the
church to calm the situation. Just take a megaphone and ask the demonstrators in
the church and outside it to go home. They’ll listen to you. Then we would be
willing to hold negotiations with, say, twenty of them…
BISHOP
Hempel:
I would be willing to do that, Dr. Reitwein. It’s just that the church
is currently full of people who aren’t church members. Under the current
circumstances it would therefore be impossible, I’m sorry…
FX:
Sound of crowd whistling and
booing
CROWD:
Stasi out! Gorby, Gorby!
We’re staying put! We are the people!
BISHOP
Hempel:
I don’t know if you can hear that…but if you’ll excuse me now, Dr.
Reitwein, I have to prepare to visit some other churches. Goodbye!
FX:
FADE OUT OF SCENE
Later,
outside the church
FX: CLOCK
CHIMING, hustle and bustle of crowds
Daggi:
Four forty five! Wow, I’ve been hanging around for more than two hours!
Hi, I’m Daggi. What’s your name?
EVA:
Eva. Pleased to meet you, Daggi.
DAGGI:
Great to meet you too! You know, when I arrived at two thirty, that sign
was already out there.
EVA:
Which sign?
DAGGI:
That one there – it’s a bit difficult to see from here – it says
“People, no senseless violence – brace yourselves - leave the stones
alone”. There was also a sign saying that the church was full already….
Eva:
I wonder who’s in there then? The peace prayers aren’t due to start
for another fifteen minutes! There’s Pastor Führer!
Pastor FÜHRER:
You can come into the gallery!
DAGGI:
Oh that’s good! We can get in after all!
My parents don’t know I’m here. But I think they’ll be alright
about it.
Eva:
They may be alright about you coming here – but have you thought how
worried they’ll be with all the rumours flying round?
Daggi:
What - about the orders to shoot us?
Eva:
Yes.
INT
Inside the Church
Daggi:
What have you heard then?
FX:
SOUND OF PEOPLE SETTLING DOWN IN THE CHURCH AND WHISPERING.
Eva:
Well, I arrived from Halle this morning – the train was about three
quarters of an hour late as usual – and went to attend my seminar at the
university, which had already started. Then a senior lecturer came in and told
us expressly that we weren’t to come into the centre of town as there were
reports of orders to shoot demonstrators and the university didn’t want to
lose any students! What a thing to say! I wondered, would it be like China -
would I be run over by a tank? One thing was clear – if it came to shooting,
then I wouldn’t live here anymore. I would leave the country, or I would die.
They told us that class was dismissed for today. I went outside and saw small
aeroplanes flying overhead. I imagined columns of tanks…and a soldier
approaching me with a rifle pointing and a contorted face, shouting “Get over
there, you swine!” (Pause) I’d heard that reservists from the factories
would be drafted in to give support to the police. My brother has recently
joined the reservists. Supposing he’d been standing in front of me then, with
a weapon in his hand…?
DAGGI:
Goodness Eva…What awful things to thing about! How you must have felt!
But look at this flyer – it’s been passed to me since we came in the church.
Look! It says: “We are one people…Party and government must be made to face
their responsibilities for the current serious situation. But today it is up to
us to prevent a further escalation of violence – our future depends on it”.
EVA:
Let’s leave it now. There’s pastor Führer – the prayers are about
to start…
FX:
Pastor’s voice fading in and out
of prayer.
Pastor
FÜHRER:
There are now some concluding words from our Bishop…
BISHOP
Hempel:
Blessed are the poor in spirit
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness
For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers
For they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
In the spirit of our prayers, I would urge you all to be restrained in
your every action! Go in the peace of Christ!
EXT
Outside the Church
FX: SOUND OF BUSTLING CROWD. DOGS BARKING
CROWD:
(Shouting) Now it’s sta-har-ting! No violence! We are the people!
Gorby, Gorby! We’re not hooligans!
(Some of the crowd singing): We shall overcome, we shall overcome, we
shall overcome some day. Deep in my heart I do believe, we shall overcome some
day.
Daggi:
Let’s go… I respect the Bishop’s request but the demonstration has
already started out here…imagine – they stuff the church with party members
and all this lot outside who couldn’t get into the church have already got
going!
EVA:
Hey Daggi - look, there’s a whole cordon of police over there. They
look like they’re armed to the nine pins.
FX:
Sound of singing of
‘Internationale’ in background during next six lines of script:
CROWD:
(Singing) People, hear well the signal!
Arise to our last fights!
The
Internationale
Will strive for human rights…
Eva:
I’m going over to talk to them.
Daggi:
Eva, be careful!
Eva:
The pastor is still just behind us, look!
Hello, Herr Policeman!
Policeman:
You’re no counter-revolutionaries!
Eva:
Talk with us!
Pastor FÜHRER:
What else can they do – they can’t possibly act against a crowd of so
many thousands of people!
CROWD:
(Singing) People, hear well the signal!
Arise to our last fights!
The
Internationale
(particularly loudly) Will strive for human rights!
FX:
BURST OF RADIO MUSIC TO INTRODUCE LOUDSPEAKER TRANSMISSION.
Voice:
Citizens! Professor Kurt Masur, Pastor Dr. Zimmermann, cabaret artist
Bernd-Lutz Lange and the secretaries of the regional party leadership, Dr. Kurt
Meyer, Jochen Pommert and Dr. Roland Wötzel address the following appeal to all
the people of Leipzig!
Masur:
Our common concerns and responsibility have brought us together today. We
are affected by the development in our town and seek a solution. We all need a
free exchange of opinion about the continuation of socialism in our country.
Therefore those named promise all citizens to apply all their power and
authority so that this dialogue is not only carried out in the region of
Leipzig, but with the government itself!
FX:
Spontaneous applause breaks out in
the crowd.
EVA:
Masur, the music director at the Gewandhaus concert hall! But with the
support of the local party leadership – now that is something! Well, it
now looks for certain like we’re not going to be shot at!
In another part of town
CHRISTEL:
Meanwhile, we were in another part of town. We could tell there was
something official coming over the loudspeakers but we couldn’t hear it.
Alarmed, we were wondering what it could be.
FX: SOUND OF CROWD AND LOUDSPEAKER
VOLKER:
Whatever it is, they’re playing it over again. But as far as I can see,
people seem to be totally calm. There was even some applause! Look over there
– there’s Werner! (Calls) Werner! You’re still on duty!
CHRISTEL:
Don’t call out – go over!
VOLKER:
Come on, everyone!
WERNER:
Volker, Christel! Who’s this with you?
CHRISTEL:
This is my work colleague Susanne and her daughter, Martina…but Daggi
hasn’t been with us at all. We don’t know where she is!
WERNER:
I’ll see if there’s anything I can do to find her. But there’s been
no violence at all. So I’m sure she’s safe.
CHRISTEL:
Thank you, Werner. Such a relief to know.
SUSANNE:
I heard you were with a workers’ task force.
WERNER:
Yes, that’s right.
SUSANNE:
Could you tell us what was happening just now? We couldn’t hear what
was being announced over the loud speaker!
WERNER:
That was Professor Masur – and he spoke with the support of local party
officials – they’ve agreed to dialogue! What’s more, a few minutes ago,
the police received an order from on high that they should let the demonstration
through and stand down! So I left my post and came to join the crowds! Do you
see what’s happened? The people have defied the power of the state!
VOLKER:
Werner, you’re trembling…maybe it’s time to go home…
WERNER:
(surprised) Go home?
CHRISTEL:
Yes Werner, you look tired! It’s getting late now…
MARTINA:
And I am so exhausted!
VOLKER:
We all are!
THILO:
We’ve walked such a long way!
CHRISTEL:
I know darling…
WERNER:
There’s a brave lad! Do you want to go home?
THILO:
No!
MARTINA:
We have to find Daggi, anyway!
CHRISTEL:
Yes, but how are we going to find her?
VOLKER:
I don’t know what everyone’s hanging around for. But all I can see is
people, as far as the eye can see, their clouds of breath wafting under the
street lamps….
SUSANNE:
I hear laughter, too!
WERNER:
Autumn in Leipzig…the dead leaves are fluttering down from the trees.
What a day, my friends, what a day!
FX: CROWD SOUNDS FADE
*****
CHRISTEL:
So what were the state leaders doing in their government offices in
Berlin? Egon Krenz went to speak with our leader, Erich Honecker.
Scene 8
Seat
of Government. Berlin
KRENZ:
Good evening Erich. Tell me, how did the talks with the Chinese minister
go?
HONECKER:
Very well. I voiced my support for him, and said we can both draw lessons
from the counter-revolutionary insurgency in Beijing.
KRENZ:
I’m glad the meeting was…productive.
HONECKER:
Tell me one thing, Egon – just because our Soviet neighbour changes the
wallpaper, it surely doesn’t mean that we have to do it as well?
KRENZ:
Maybe not, Erich. But I must speak to you urgently. I’ve had Hackenburg,
as head of operations in Leipzig, on the ‘phone awaiting final orders.
They’ve already stood down temporarily and are now asking for confirmation of
the non-engagement policy. I’ve also got the national people’s army chief of
staff Streletz here to see you. He has something to show you.
ARMY
CHIEF STRELETZ:
Comrades Honecker, Krenz and.. Comrade Schabowski – you’re here too!
SCHABOWSKI:
Good evening, Chief of Staff Streletz.
ARMY
CHIEF STRELETZ:
Good evening. We’ve some footage of today’s events in Leipzig. There’s
no sound, but I would like you to view it. As you can see, there have been huge
crowds this time..
KRENZ:
Comrade Hackenburg of the local party secretariat had detailed plans in
place to prevent the counter-revolutionary gatherings…
SCHABOWSKI:
But he could not have reckoned on such crowds!
ARMY
CHIEF STRELETZ:
Yes, an estimated seventy thousand.
HONECKER:
(Pause) Couldn’t you just have your tanks ride through them? That
would disperse them!
ARMY
CHIEF STRELETZ:
With all due respect, Comrade Honecker, all male citizens of our republic
have undergone compulsory basic military training. They would therefore know how
to stop a tank – you just drape
something like a jacket over the observation slit…
HONECKER:
In that case, round up the ring leaders!
KRENZ:
All police intelligence passed to me indicates that no such thing as
‘ring leaders’ can be identified, Erich. The demonstration lacks
organisation – it appears that people just turned up…
HONECKER:
Ah. (Pause) But what’s this I hear about three local party officials
being involved in making an autonomous announcement?
KRENZ:
Meyer, Pommert and Wötzel. I believe their desire to avoid violence was
sincere, but they exceeded their remit by suggesting that there could be
dialogue with the demonstrators…er…insurgents… at national level.
HONECKER:
How dare they! I condemn such an action! They are splitting the local
party government and will be disciplined for this!
KRENZ:
As you wish, Erich. But I need your advice. I promised
to return Comrade Hackenburg’s call
immediately.
HONECKER:
Do as you see fit, Egon. I don’t approve of a stand-down, but
tomorrow’s another day in the eternal life of our beloved republic. We shall
see the end of this ridiculous nonsense, whatever happens.
FX:
SOUND OF DOOR CLOSING
SCHABOWSKI:
What will you do, Egon?
KRENZ:
I shall do what I have to do. I shall confirm the non-engagement policy.
There’s no moral justification for violence. I’ll call Hackenburg back right
now.
*****
CHRISTEL:
So the decision was finally made – well after the biggest illegal
demonstration in the history of the German Democratic Republic had already taken
place. The top secret Stasi report was succinct: “The measures prepared to
prevent and disperse the protest were, due to developments, not applied”. Our
day of triumph had come. But the day was not yet over. In the twilight, we still
looked for Daggi. Fortunately, she’d had the good sense to call in on her
grandmother…
Scene
9
HOME
OF FRAU RICHTER, CHRISTEL’S MOTHER
FX:
sound of door opening
FRAU
RICHTER:
Hello Daggi! Where are your mum and dad? And Thilo?
Daggi:
I wasn’t with them.
FRAU
RICHTER:
You were alone? That shouldn’t have been.
DAGGI:
Not exactly. I made a new friend – a university student called Eva…
FRAU
RICHTER:
Well, you were just like me – I was out there too –I didn’t make
any new friends, though. But I wouldn’t have missed it.
DAGGI:
Really?
FRAU
RICHTER:
Yes, I’ve only just got back myself. Would you like a drink? I’m just
making some coffee.
FX:
SOUND OF CLINKING CHINA
DAGGI:
Yes please. So tell me about it. Where were you?
FRAU
RICHTER: Well,
I’m not in the habit of going to unofficial demonstrations. In fact, I don’t
like going out at all lately. All my clothes look crumpled as I’m still
waiting for my broken iron to be repaired. It’s been three months
now…Anyway, I stood outside the St Nicholas church during the prayers for
peace…
DAGGI:
Really? Eva and I were inside!
FRAU
RICHTER:
You got in? They appeared to have filled up the place with party comrades
– there was an overspill of them in the church courtyard as well. I think the
idea was that they would usher people away. But their presence just seemed to
liven things up, inflaming the mood of the demonstrators outside the
church…everywhere was full of people!
DAGGI:
Yes, it was crazy when we came out of the church as well!
FRAU
RICHTER:
Then slowly the crowd pushed towards the Karl Marx Square and I went with
it. There didn’t seem to be any leader, any determined route or plan. But when
we got there we heard Masur’s speech – that was reassuring – and people
who were about to march off were calling “Join in!” so I did – quite
spontaneously. …..
Daggi:
Wow, grandma, we were in that area too. We must have been quite near you!
FRAU
RICHTER:
Well, after that, the stream of people I joined passed by the Stasi
building. There was a smell of burning and suddenly I heard someone shout,
“Turn round, turn round!” I was scared, and allowed myself to be helped over
the barrier. It reminded me of that moment I saw on western TV when people were
storming over the fence at the embassy in Prague. Luckily it was a false alarm
this time. I looked at the steps of the Stasi building – people were lighting
candles there, right at the feet of the guards, who were staring motionless into
space. Some people jokingly called
out to them, “Join in!” but still kept a respectful distance from them!
Daggi:
That would have been something, if the guards had gone with you! Eva and
I didn’t go that way…
FX:
KNOCK ON THE DOOR
FRAU
RICHTER:
I’ll just go and answer that…
FX:
SOUND OF OPENING DOOR
FRAU
RICHTER:
Oh hello Christel – Volker – Thilo…Daggi’s here!
CHRISTEL:
Daggi! You’re alright! So that’s really a happy ending to a happy
day!
DAGGI:
Have you all been in town too? I didn’t mention I was going because…
CHRISTEL:
I know…Martina told us everything. She and her mum were with us, but
they’ve gone home now. Please don’t be angry with her. She could tell how
anxious we were with this order to shoot…
DAGGI:
It’s true. I didn’t think about it so much…
VOLKER:
It’s good that we thought we’d be best off stopping off here first.
It’s taking forever for the crowds to disperse out there
THILO:
There’s something else that we found out from Martina - that you’d
been a sneaky secret demonstrator already!
DAGGI:
Oh shut up, Thilo…
CHRISTEL:
Thilo, really, maybe Daggi should have told us, but that is water under
the bridge now.
DAGGI:
If you think I’m alone, maybe you should hear grandma’s story then…
CHRISTEL:
(Surprised) Mum, you weren’t out there too, today, were you?
FX:
KNOCK ON DOOR
FRAU
RICHTER:
Yes, I was…Who could that be now? Go and put the TV on if you
like…while I’m answering it!
FX:
SOUND OF OPENING DOOR
DELIVERY
MAN:
Frau Richter?
FRAU
RICHTER:
Yes…
DELIVERY
MAN:
Delivery for you from the People’s Electrical Goods Servicing Company.
Your iron – fully repaired!
FRAU
RICHTER:
Well, there’s a miracle to top all miracles!
Can you imagine, no more creased clothes!
DELIVERY
MAN:
I was given it to deliver today, but, as you can understand, I was rather
held up…so glad to have been able to return it to you at last!
FRAU
RICHTER:
Well thank you! Goodbye!
DELIVERY
MAN:
Goodbye!
FX:
SOUND OF DOOR CLOSING
CHRISTEL:
It seems like the whole of Leipzig was out on the streets today! I feel
today that we, the people, are incredibly powerful. We’ve taken courage and
made the government retreat. Surely things can never be the same again. Spring
has at last arrived in the middle of our Leipzig autumn!
DAGGI:
I hope so, mum. But it might
be slow - no sign of change yet! We’ve just been watching TV!
VOLKER:
Do you know what they had on the news? Pah! Some stuff about the
“latest successes with the building of socialism in Leipzig”.
FRAU
RICHTER:
Never mind. They’re sure to cover these events on western television
tomorrow…
CHRISTEL:
And so they did. – we could see that some of the scenes showed the area
we’d been in. Some oppositional journalists had been standing, with a camera,
hidden from view, on top of a nearby church. They’d risked imprisonment to get
the pictures to the west.
(Pause)
How did our story begin? It began with boredom. Just as boredom had driven
people to leave, the struggle that began on the 9th October was conducted out of
boredom alone. We discovered that it was possible for us to overthrow the
government.
MUSIC:
EXTRACT FROM ‘TILL EULENSPIEL’S ‘LUSTIGE STREICHE’ BY
R STRAUSS
Professor
Kurt Masur, who made the radio announcement appealing for peace that day, went
on to conduct in the Gewandhaus in the evening. Strauss’s ‘Till Eulenspiegel’
created the right atmosphere.
MUSIC:
ANOTHER EXTRACT FROM ‘TILL EULENSPIEL’S ‘LUSTIGE STREICHE’ BY R
STRAUSS
Later
in the concert, he conducted the orchestra for ‘Symphony number two in
D-major’ by Brahms. The audience were deeply moved ……the longing for
harmony.
MUSIC:
EXTRACT FROM SECOND ADAGIO FROM BRAHMS’S SYMPHONY NO. 2
New
Forum, which was finally legalised the following month, was deeply grateful to
Masur for his action. He and the others became known as the ‘Leipzig Six’.
The three party officials involved were criticised but kept their jobs.
On October the 18th, Honecker resigned the state leadership and was replaced by
Krenz.
FX:
SOUND OF CROWDS SHOUTING:
CROWD:
What do we want? Democracy! When do we want it? Now! Democracy! Now or
never!
CHRISTEL:
The Monday demonstrations continued and gained momentum as the weeks went
by. On November the 9th, the Berlin Wall fell.
In Leipzig, people turned their attention to the hated Stasi, and
demonstrations passed by their HQ, the ‘Runde Ecke’:
FX:
SOUND OF CROWDS SHOUTING:
CROWD:
Runde Ecke, House of Horror, make it a museum tomorror!
CHRISTEL: In early December the Stasi offices at the Runde Ecke were occupied by ordinary people, breaking the power of the hated spies forever. And finally, the following year, the two Germanies were united…. But Volker and I, and our children, will always remember one date, and one date alone. The 9th of October 1989 – the day the people spoke – the day that changed Germany.
MUSIC:
RECORDING OF ‘WE SHALL OVERCOME’ BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
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