Everything except “Wind of Change”

What do we hear when we listen to songs about the period of German reunification? How is this period of upheaval portrayed in “Grauer Beton” by Trettmann or “Fremd im eigenen Land” by Advanced Chemistry, in the song “Die Idee” by singer-songwriter Nichtseattle, or in a pop hit like “Auf den Dächern von Berlin”? And what do we ourselves remember? What do these songs evoke in us—memories, emotions, questions, or confusion?

The workshop “Everything but ‘Wind of Change’” uses songs as a starting point to spark conversation. We’ll talk about experiences and memories, but also about how this period of transformation is narrated and interpreted. Together, we’ll listen to songs, briefly contextualize them, offer insights, and look forward to hearing about your experiences, questions, and perspectives.

Popular representations of history—novels, feature films, or even songs—are productive ways to engage with the past and the stories it tells. We see pop culture as a starting point for exploring a vast, multifaceted, and contradictory field. Pop culture extends far beyond what is associated with “reunification anthems” like “Wind of Change” by the Scorpions—aesthetically, in terms of content, and in the culture of remembrance. And that’s what we’ll explore together.