"You shall fly, dove of peace; Tell everyone here, that we never want war again: We want peace."

In this episode, we explore the complicated relationship between East Germany (GDR) and its proclaimed commitment to peace. The GDR built an entire national identity around the idea of peace, embodied in the figure of the dove, which appeared in murals, posters, and even songs taught to children. Yet, this commitment came with profound contradictions, as the GDR actively supported militarization, armed foreign states, and repressed domestic pacifism, all while promoting itself as a “State of Peace.”

In today’s world, peace is again a political buzzword, but the freedom and justice necessary for true peace are often missing from the conversation. This episode traces how similar messages of peace in the GDR served as instruments for propaganda and control, setting a chilling precedent in Cold War-era politics and offering a lesson on the enduring power of symbols.

● Key Moments in the Episode:

Peace on 2024 Election Posters in Germany – How political parties across the spectrum, from the SPD to the AfD, are employing "peace" as a slogan, each with its own twist.

A Brief History of the Peace Dove in the GDR – From Picasso’s lithograph to East German propaganda, the dove became a central image in the GDR’s narrative of peace, used both in Berlin’s public art and educational songs like the one by Erika Schirmer.

The GDR as a 'Friedensstaat' (State of Peace) – Examining the GDR’s ideological positioning as a peace state under Marxist principles and its tension with Western capitalist “imperialism.”

Militarization in the Name of Peace – How militarization permeated the GDR society, from youth indoctrination to the National People's Army (NVA), and culminated in mandatory military service and arms exports.

Arms Exports and Foreign Military Presence – The GDR’s paradoxical role as an arms dealer and military advisor, with involvement across Africa, the Middle East, and other regions, all in the name of supporting "peaceful" socialist allies.

Pacifist Movement in West Germany and GDR's Influence – How the GDR and USSR exploited West German pacifism to counter NATO while suppressing East German peace activists who challenged militarization at home.

The Legacy of Peace in Germany Today – Reflection on how the GDR’s legacy of “peace” still influences contemporary Germany’s political landscape and public memory, especially in East Germany.

● Bookshelf

* Wolfgang Klietz, Waffenhändler in Uniform (Arms dealer in uniform), 2024

* Thomas Großbölting, Friedensstaat, Leseland, Sportnation? DDR-Legenden auf dem Prüfstand (Peace state, reading country, sporting nation? GDR legends put to the test), 2013

* Klaus Storkmann, Geheime Solidarität - Militärbeziehungen und Militärhilfen der DDR in die "Dritte Welt (Secret solidarity - military relations and military aid from the GDR to the ‘Third World), 2012

* MDR Online Dossier: Geheime Kriege der DDR (Secret wars of the GDR), free to read, German

* DDR Museum online, Die riedenstaube (The dove of peace), free to read, German

● Music credits

In addition to the Royalty Free Music and Sound Effects Libraries, here you will find some seconds of the "Kleine weiße Friedenstaube" song by Erika Schirmer, which I embed here and partially reproduce in the podcast - performed by the DDR Children's Choir "Walter Ulbricht" of the Dresden Instrumental Group under the direction of Manfred Winter - for historical documentation (not commercial purpose).

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