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Poignant exhibition in Potsdam: uncovering the fates of Soviet prisoners
Find out more about the Lindenstrasse Memorial in Potsdam, which sheds light on the fates of political prisoners between 1945 and 1952.
Poignant exhibition in Potsdam: uncovering the fates of Soviet prisoners
The Lindenstrasse 54/55 memorial in Potsdam is a central place to remember the victims of political persecution in both German dictatorships. How rbb24 reports, the current exhibition entitled “The Gray Misery of Potsdam” is dedicated to the fates of people who were in Soviet custody between 1945 and 1952. Tens of thousands of people were imprisoned by the Soviet secret service, while the memorial itself served as a secret detention center for political prisoners.
The exhibition focuses in particular on Jochen Stern's biography. He was arrested on October 14, 1947 and spent 378 days in custody under inhumane conditions. He reported massive physical abuse and extreme prison conditions. According to the exhibition, which opened on September 27, 2025 and can be seen until July 12, 2026, 26 biographies illustrate the diverse fates of the imprisoned people. Stern was released to the Federal Republic of Germany through an amnesty in 1954 and later gained influence as an actor and writer.
The role of Lindenstrasse in history
Historically, the building on Lindenstrasse not only served as a prison under Soviet rule. Popularly known as the “Lindenhotel”, it was originally built between 1734 and 1737 as the “Great Dutch House”. During the Nazi era it was used as a remand prison for political prisoners. After the war, the Soviet secret service NKVD/MGB and later the GDR State Security took over the premises, which further reinforced the sad history of the place. By 1989, between 6,000 and 7,000 people were imprisoned there, often for alleged espionage or freedom of expression, as on Wikipedia documented.
Additionally describes the Federal Agency for Civic Education the systematic use of Soviet special detention centers in Germany after 1945 and the often brutal conditions under which the prisoners had to suffer. The prison conditions were characterized by inadequate nutrition and inadequate medical care. Between 1945 and 1950, around 43,035 prisoners died, many from lack of food and disease.
Commemorative events and current relevance
Since 2007, the Lindenstraße 54/55 memorial has been committed to the task of coming to terms with this dark history and creating awareness of the events. The ongoing exhibition is accompanied by contemporary witness discussions, readings and guided tours. The history of Soviet detention centers is not just a chapter of Germany's past, but a memorial for contemporary society to emphasize the values of human rights and the need for freedom and democracy.
Jochen Stern, who also attended the exhibition opening, represents one of many voices that point out the injustices that occurred in this historical context. His detached attitude towards his experiences may reflect the complexity and pain of his memories, which the exhibition illuminates in a powerful way.