Bärbel was born in a village near Magdeburg in 1962, She explores her personal and professional life growing up in East Germany.

We delve into her family's views on the East German government, her journey to becoming a teacher, and her experiences teaching English. We cover gender roles and the pressures to become a member of the communist party.

Also discussed are the ideological and societal differences between East and West Germany, as well as the impact of the Berlin Wall's fall.

Bärbel reflects on her career transition post-reunification, her family's life, the significant changes in Magdeburg and details her first trip to the UK.

Highlighting the joy and challenges she faced, the episode provides a comprehensive insight into the daily life and career of a teacher in East Germany.

Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode355/

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