Australia-German Democratic Republic (GDR) Friendship Society records, ca. 1972-1989

MLMSS 8812

fonds

ca. 1972-1989

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Posters, Photographs, Objects, Clippings

403225

1.32 metres of textual material (7 boxes)

The German Democratic Republic (GDR) or in German Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR), informally known in English as East Germany, was a socialist state established in 1949 after World War II by the Soviet Union. The GDR was formed from the parts of Germany occupied by the USSR, including East Berlin of the Allied-occupied capital city. It was ruled by the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), out of the Soviet zone of occupied Germany. The United States refused to recognize the GDR until 1974. The GDR was absorbed by the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in 1990 when Germany reunified.

The Australia-German Democratic Republic (GDR) Friendship Society was formed in 1972 through an agreement to establish democratic relations between German Democratic Republic and Australia. The aim to work for friendship, understanding, cultural and other exchanges between Australia and the GDR. It was understood that it would serve in the best interests of both countries to develop further political and economic relations.

References:
Compiled from the collection
US Department of State, Office of the Historian http://history.state.gov/countries/german-democratic-republic

BOXES 1-2
Correspondence mainly relating to membership, projects, anniversaries and Fred Clarke then National Secretary donations, 1982-1989

Correspondence between Australia and Germany, 1977-1979

BOX 3
Newscuttings and periodicals relating to politics and socialism in Germany collected by Fred Clarke, 1991

Records and correspondence reports and newsletters, 1978-1991

BOX 4
Correspondence relating to 30th anniversary, 1973-1979

Reports and minutes relating to conferences, symposiums and meetings, ca. 1972-1982

Correspondence relating to membership and activities and GDR League of Friendship, 1972-1978

Newsletters and bulletins, 1973-1978

BOX 5
PHOTOGRAPHS

Press photographic prints relating to 40th and 50th anniversary of the establishment of fascist dictatorship 1932-1946, 1982

Press photographic prints reproduced by ADN Zentralbild photo department mainly relating to social life, arts and cultures in German Democratic Republic, ca. 1980-1988 including:

Sporting Athletes at Summer Olympics in Moscow 1980 and Seoul 1988

Young athletes at 8th National Gymnastics and Sports Festival and 11th Children’s and Youth Spartakiad of the GDR, 1987

Health services, arts and culture in socialist German Democratic Republic, ca. 1976-1988

Women in German Democratic Republic, 1986

Education, youth, women and housing in German Democratic Republic, 1983-1985

Site of a former coal gas plant and named after the former Communist party leader Ernst Thälmann Ernst-Thalmann-park in Berlin, 1986

Peace rallies and activities in GDR, 1986-1987

Restored old city of Greifswald, 1982

Boys choir the St. Thomas Choir of Leipzig, 1986

Nikolaiviertel quarter and Marx Engels Forum Berlin, 1986

Solidarity and Socialist foreign policy, 1987

German writer and anti-war activist Arnold Zweig relating to 100th anniversary, 1987

BOX 6
Reports and minutes of National Conference of Australia-German Democratic Republic Friendship Society, 1985-1986

Typescript research notes relating to GDR and literature from the GDR including transcript of speech by Justic Kep Enderby relating to 38th anniversary of GDR and 15th anniversary of Australia-German Democratic Republic Friendship Society, ca. 1987

PRINTED MATERIAL
Bulletins an brochures of Australia-German Democratic Republic Friendship Society, 1982-1989

Exhibition catalogue for exhibition of political satirist and critic John Heartfield, 1976

Periodicals relating to German Democratic Republic including GDR Review, 1980-1989

Newscuttings from German newspaper ‘Die Union’, 1983

Reports on the Trade Unions, economic and geographical conditions in the GDR, ca. 1981

BOX 7
EPHEMERA

Blank postcard with two ‘Berlin’ shoulder patches and Australia GDR lapel pin, no date

Posters of modern, anti-imperialist socialist art and artworks by german artists, ca. 1979-1986

Portfolio of photographic posters celebrating Berlin’s 750th anniversary, 1987

Calendars on history, art and literature, 1980

Exhibition sign, no date

Copyright status:: In copyright - This collection has multiple rights owners
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Information upgraded as part of the Manuscripts Unprocessed eRecords Project 2012-2013