Born in a family of German anti-Fascists, that returned to the Communist Germany after the war, Helga Kurzchalia spent most of her childhood in Haus des Kindes, a huge store situated in Strausberger Platz in Berlin aimed to offer various products for children but also used as a residence for many Party members. Designed by architect Hermann Henselmann and situated in the former Stalin-Allee, currently Karl-Marx Allee, it was inspired by a similar construction in Moscow, that was situated close to the KGB headquarters, in Ljubljanka. Members of the middle to upper echalons of the German Communist Party, mostly scientists - like chemist Robert Havemann who will become one of GDR´s most famous dissidents - and authors.
With simplicity and honesty, Kurzchalia describes the word as she experienced. There is no accusation or denial, there is no regret. As a child, she witnesses the whispers of the parents, the dismisal of Stalin´s memory, overnight, the frequent escapes to the West. As many children of Jewish parents that were part of the communist resistance, she grew up completely unaware of being Jewish. Her parents themselves were buried in the Friedrichsfelde cemetery, where many former communist active members are burried.
There is a detached voice yet curious to find the truth which I liked in Haus des Kindes. No matter what people may think about those times, there were people who actually experienced it, without being asked if they want or not to be part of that history. Their testimonies are important for understanding the spirit of the times, but also mentalities as well as individual destinies. I wish more children of those times do have the honesty and courage to share their life experience as Kurzchalia does.
Rating: 4.5 stars
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