Gymnastics and Pills: An East German Childhood (339)

Cold War Conversations

Ian Sanders

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.8 • 758 Ratings

🗓️ 30 March 2024

⏱️ 95 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Sirka offers a comprehensive exploration of life in East Germany, detailing the experiences of growing up in Neubrandenburg, the influence of the East German state and the Stasi, and the societal impacts of Mikhail Gorbachev's policies leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall. She also talks of her intensive gymnastics training and being given pills by her trainer... Sirka also describes the transition to reunification, highlighting the challenges of adapting to a new economic system and the mixed feelings toward sudden exposure to Western consumer culture. Additionally, it includes a reflective conversation on post-reunification life in Germany, discussing Sirka's and her family's adjustment to the changes, including the effects on employment, homeownership, and personal political histories. Video and photo extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode339 The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and viaa simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link. Connect with us on social media for more Cold War content: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations For the perfect gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life, visit our store at https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ If you love history, check out Into History at https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod 00:00 Preview 00:22 Welcome to Cold War Conversations 00:36 Life in East Germany: An Insider's Perspective 01:50 Circa's Childhood and Family Life in Neubrandenburg 03:33 The Impact of World War II on Family Histories 05:42 Navigating Post-War East Germany 07:53 The East German Regime Through a Family's Eyes 10:31 Cultural and Educational Experiences in East Germany 23:23 The Challenges of Consumer Goods and Entertainment 25:39 School Life and Education in East Germany 34:17 Extracurricular Activities: Singing Club and Gymnastics 44:58 The Intensity of Gymnastics Training in East Germany 46:15 The Secret Gymnastics Pills 48:14 The Grueling Training Regime and Its Impact 49:46 The Power of Music and Discipline in a Regimented Society 50:38 The Harsh Realities of Military-Style Training 51:39 Life Under an Autocratic System: Acceptance and Adaptation 55:26 The Transition to College and the End of Gymnastics 55:56 Exploring Moscow: A Glimpse into the Space Race 01:03:37 Witnessing the Winds of Change: The Fall of the Berlin Wall 01:14:21 Navigating the New World: Post-Wall Challenges and Reflections 01:25:05 A Journey Back in Time: Revisiting Memories and the Stasi Files Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
0:05.7	Ready to launch your business? Get started with the commerce platform made for entrepreneurs.
0:10.5	Shopify is specially designed to help you start, run and grow your business
0:14.6	with easy customizable themes that let you build your brand,
0:18.2	marketing tools that get your products out there.
0:20.4	Integrated shipping solutions that actually save you time.
0:23.2	From startups to scaleups, online, in person and on the go.
0:27.7	Shopify is made for entrepreneurs like you.
0:30.2	Sign up for your $1 a month trial at Shopify.com slash setup.
0:36.1	The lady who was responsible for the gymnastics, they just came with a few tablets and they were all loose and they said, take one each day.
0:47.8	They didn't say what they were for.
0:50.3	And back in the days, what do you do?
0:52.0	It's an autocratic system where you do what you're being told.
0:57.6	This is Cold War Conversations.
1:01.1	If you're new here, you've come to the right place to listen to first-hand Cold War history accounts.
1:07.6	Do make sure you follow us in your podcast app or join our emailing list at cold warconversations.com
1:15.0	Circa offers a comprehensive exploration of life in East Germany detailing the experiences of growing up in Noi Brandenburg, the influence of the East German state and the Stasi, and the societal impacts of Mikhail Gorbachev's
1:29.8	policies leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall. She also talks about her intensive gymnastics
1:36.0	training and being given pills by her trainer. SIRCA describes the transition to reunification,
1:42.7	highlighting the challenges of adapting to a new economic system and the mixed feelings towards sudden exposure to Western consumer culture.
1:51.0	Additionally, it includes a reflective conversation on post-reunification life in Germany, discussing Circas and her family's adjustment to the changes, including the effects
2:02.5	on employment, home ownership and personal political histories. We delve into the complexities of
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Ian Sanders, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Ian Sanders and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.