Dear Members and Friends of Houston-Leipzig,
Do you know how desperate people have to be before they say “This could be my last chance to leave the country. That’s why I will make it this time or else be dead.” „Das könnte meine letzte Chance sein, das Land zu verlassen. Deswegen werde ich es diesmal schaffen oder tot sein.” Living conditions in the German Democratic Republic had deteriorated to such an extent that people could no longer tolerate the danger to their lives, health, and sanity.
The docu-film Zug in die Freiheit | Train to Freedom recreates the historic events in September 1989 that contributed to German Unity. The perspective concentrates on the lives of the people who were on the trains and who fervently hoped that their flight from the GDR/DDR would not be stopped after all. German language, English subtitles.
Tensions in the GDR were running high. Its leader Erich Honecker was concentrating on celebrating the 40th anniversary of the DDR on October 7, 1989, and any protests or people trying to flee from the DDR did not fit his script. Take a look at the parades, congratulatory speeches, and optimism for hundreds more years: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeePo6BGmHc .
However, police and the military arm of the Secret Police were beating down protesters on a regular basis. What they did not show were protests on October 7, 1989, in East Berlin, Leipzig, and Potsdam; in Leipzig police attacked a few thousand protesters (this two days before the Peaceful Revolution on October 9): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blSzjYo7oMc (Tagesschau).
Do join us for this fascinating movie on January 22, 2015, in the Parish Hall, 2353 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005. We’ll have our usual food and beverage reception at 6:30 p.m. Registration will begin at 6:15 p.m., the movie at 7:00 p.m. Meeting fees are $10 for members, $5 for students, and $15 for nonmembers, regardless of whether you participate in the reception. Ample parking is available on the Rice University parking lot off Greenbriar Street for $1, credit cards only. For those of you who haven’t registered, please let us know today that you’re coming: angelika@houstonleipzig.org .
Bring a neighbor, bring a friend, and let’s keep our Houston-Leipzig Sister City Association vibrant!
Sincerely,
Angelika
Angelika Schmidt-Lange
Vice President and Website Administrator
Houston-Leipzig Sister City Association
Houston-Leipzig on Facebook
713-822-4257