Family novel Die Allee”: Insights into Henselmann’s GDR world”

Family novel Die Allee”: Insights into Henselmann’s GDR world”

On September 18th, the family novel “Die Allee” by Florentine Anders will be presented as part of the new event format “Bühnentausch” by the Reinickendorf City Library and Museum. The event begins at 6 p.m. as Florentine Anders speaks about the work with Claudia Wasow-Kania from the museum. The novel focuses in particular on the life and challenges of her grandfather Hermann Henselmann, one of the most important architects in the GDR.

Hermann Henselmann was not only the chief architect of East Berlin after the Second World War, but also played a key role in the planning of Stalinallee and the design of the Berlin television tower. His life and work span several historical eras, from the Weimar Republic to the fall of the Wall. Henselmann is often described as a charismatic personality whose architecture was often criticized for being too modernist. However, he delivered numerous striking buildings, including the congress hall in Berlin and the university high-rise in Leipzig. His design for a “Tower of Signals” was rejected by the SED, which led to a temporary loss of his position.

Insights into Henselmann's family

In “Die Allee” Henselmann is portrayed not only as an architect, but also as a family figure. His wife Isi, who is highly talented and wants to work as an architect, faces the challenges of a growing family, while their daughter Isa tries to free herself from the influence of her choleric father. These aspects of family life are impressively illuminated by Anders' narrative and offer a deeper insight into the social conditions of the GDR. Family members of the resistance movement, such as the Robert Havemann family, are also mentioned and show the struggle with state paternalism.

The novel combines historical facts with personal experiences, creating a multifaceted picture of life in the GDR. The achievements and difficulties that Henselmann and his family experienced during this era can be experienced both in the architecture and in personal relationships. Henselmann, who began his career in the Weimar Republic and is known for his willingness to compromise in GDR architecture, is portrayed as a complex personality who always had to cope with the ideological requirements of the time in his designs.

Discussion about Henselmann's legacy

Henselmann's work remains important today. After the fall of the Wall, Karl-Marx-Allee was discovered as a monumental, neoclassical boulevard and now enjoys national recognition. However, critics such as Elmar Kossel take a nuanced look at Henselmann's influence on modern architecture and his relationships within the political context. Henselmann's memoirs, particularly his memoirs “Three Trips to Berlin,” highlight his left-wing sentiments and his contemporary challenges. Despite the difficulties he experienced in his career, Henselmann remained an integral part of GDR architectural history and is kept alive in Anders' novel.

In a cultural presentation, “Die Allee” succeeds in illustrating the complexity of the contemporary history of the GDR through the prism of a remarkable family transformation, making it a captivating read for those interested. Anders' ability to combine glamor and the dreariness of the GDR makes the novel particularly worth reading and relevant for understanding this turbulent time.

For further information about the event and the book, click on the respective links: Berlin.de, n-tv, Deutschlandfunk.