Beginnings of Research

So far, I have begun to research the continuing sale of East German goods and have stumbled upon a phrase, "Ostalgie." This term is a combination of "ost" meaning east and "nostalgie" (nostalgia) and roughly means a desire to return to the customs of East Germany. This, however, does not reference the Soviet lifestyle but rather "nostalgia for a time when people had dreams and were hopeful."

Now, in appeal to this desire as well as souvenirs for tourists, a number of former DDR products are being reproduced. Spreewald Gherkins, Perlodont toothpaste, and the Trabant automobile are some of the most well known of the East German goods.

In addition, a number of movies have recently been released in response to the nostalgia for the East. "Good Bye Lenin!" (2003) is the story of a mother who falls into a coma and awakes after the Berlin Wall has fallen. In an attempt to keep his mother from shock, Alex is forced to recreate East Germany in his own home. Sonnenallee (1999) and Kleinruppin forever (2004) are two further examples of these such movies.