An exhibition reminds us of the former Plänterwald cultural park: past pleasures

On the way to the official reopening of the Spreepark, which was legendary in GDR times as the Plänterwald cultural park with its rides, there is now an exhibition that pauses. Under the title “Past Pleasure” it wants to commemorate the eventful history of the place, which was completed eight years after the Wall was built and just in time for the 20th anniversary of the GDR on October 4, 1969.

The guide for the exhibition is the radio play “Life under the Ferris Wheel” by the Berlin author Anne Waak, who was told by former visitors and participants in the amusement park. The result is an expansive collage of personal memories, photographic snapshots and artistic discussions.

Curator Christian Hiller, together with the Spreepark Art Space team, has developed a course with colorful play stalls that provide both humorous and critical insights into the history of the “Kulti”, as the culture park was affectionately called during GDR times. Opening is on Sunday, November 10th, admission is free. The exhibition is open until February 23rd. to see (Opening hours Wednesday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.).

Christiane Eisler shows a series of photos for which she accompanied a group of young punks in the 1980s. Anselm Reyle again presents photographs taken after the closure, which reveal a ghostly scene. The original planning drawings by the architect couple Doris and Hinrich Baller for the construction and renovation of the park can also be seen.

In fact, the Plänterwald Cultural Park was largely a Western product. The fairground attractions came from the capitalist West. The “Carrera” car track was then renamed “Berliner Ring” on site, the “Bayernkurve” was renamed “Bobbahn” and the “NASA” carousel was renamed “Sputnik”. But the “Kulti” offered visitors a bit of freedom; they were allowed to enjoy pure pleasure.