Action

Georg Kowalski *1927

In the 1980s, Georg Kowalski was chairman of the Socialist Unity Party of West Berlin SEW in Kreuzberg and a member of the Association of Victims of the Nazi Regime - Federation of Anti-Fascists VVN-VdA. He continues to participate in various events organised by the Active Museum.

Christine Fischer-Defoy *1951

"It was a very moving and symbolic action."

In the 1980s, Christine Fischer-Defoy conducted research on the history of Berlin art schools in Nazi Germany. She was involved in the Active Museum and became chairwoman of the association in 1991. She later focused on emigration from Germany in 1933.  

How did you get involved?

We were told at the time by the Berlin state that no authentic remains were left on the grounds, that everything had been demolished and that it was pointless to look for historical traces there.

What in particular do you remember?

There were a lot of older people there, some of whom had been held in Gestapo prisons. We dug a trench along the area where we thought the enclosure wall of the Gestapo building might be, but we didn’t dig more than 30 centimetres.

What do you think of the action today?

It was a very moving and symbolic action that received a lot of media attention for turning this site into a memorial, a so-called “Denkort”.

In a way, it was the prelude to the Berlin state carrying out the real archaeological excavations the following year, during which several building remnants were discovered.

Heinz-Dieter Schilling *1946

Heinz-Dieter Schilling is a religious educator, lecturer and publicist. When the Active Museum was founded in June 1983, he was elected deputy chairman. He also managed the association’s office from 1983 to 1986.

Falk Harnack 1913–1991

Falk Harnack was a resistance fighter in Nazi Germany and had contact with the White Rose and Red Orchestra resistance groups. After the war, he became a successful screenwriter and director. The Active Museum made him an honorary member in 1984.

Jürgen Karwelat *1951

“We were totally surprised that Gestapo cellars were actually uncovered at the site."

Jürgen Karwelat joined the Berlin History Workshop in 1983. At the time of the dig, he was working as a lawyer at the Federal Cartel Office. He later transferred to different federal ministries. He is still involved in the Berlin History Workshop today.

How did you get involved?

I had organised a memorial service on the barren grounds a few years earlier to commemorate the end of World War II. So I was on board right away when the Active Museum approached us about doing something there to mark the perpetrator site.

What in particular do you remember?

I was the organiser of the event and hadn’t told the police or the Senate Administration that not only were we going to read a text, but that we also planned to do some actual digging.

Fortunately, the police, who observed the event from a distance, didn’t approach me about this during the action.

What do you think of the action today?

It was very successful. We were totally surprised that cellars of the Gestapo headquarters were actually uncovered a few months later at the very site where we had dug symbolically.

With this action, we gave an important boost to the Topography of Terror Documentation Centre.

Udo Gößwald *1955

“The action was an important example of civic engagement."

Political and cultural scientist Udo Gößwald was a founding member of the Berlin History Workshop and the Active Museum. He served as director of the Neukölln Museum from 1987 to 2022.

How did you get involved?

I enthusiastically supported the action and during the dig, I read aloud texts on the function of the Reich Security Main Office and the site’s history.

What in particular do you remember?

The enthusiastic digging at the site.

What do you think of the action today?

The action was an important example of civic engagement that got the ball rolling to intensify research into resistance and persecution under the Nazi regime.

At the same time, the perpetrator site was publicly marked and the Berlin Senate was called upon to establish a memorial and documentation centre there.

Sabine Weißler *1958

"The motto 'Dig where you stand' had never before been used in Berlin in such a political way."

Sabine Weißler was a founding member and deputy chairwoman of the Active Museum. She represented the Alternative List for Democracy and Environmental Protection AL in the Berlin House of Representatives from 1989 to 1991. Later she ran the culture and library office in Steglitz-Zehlendorf and became city councillor for culture in Mitte.

How did you get involved?

I was a founding member of the Active Museum of Fascism and Resistance and, in my function as a cultural politician for the Alternative List, I was also a member of the jury for the redesign of the site of the former SS Reich Security Main Office.

The jury had lengthy discussions about whether remnants of the building existed. During one meeting, it was announced that the building had been demolished down to the cellar’s ceiling. This suggested that parts of the cellar must still exist. Then nothing happened for a time.

The Active Museum took the initiative and created an appeal for the symbolic digging action, which I organised with other members. This was long before desktop publishing; you can still see my sloppy handwriting on the flyer.

The day was exciting. We stood there and didn’t know where to start. I had seen enough photos to be able to estimate the distance to the Gropius Building. We struggled to dig through the fine debris, but by the end, we had left a visible mark.

We later realized that the estimate had been surprisingly accurate. If we had actually hit the floor slab, I would have fainted.

What in particular do you remember?

The large turnout. It wasn’t just friends who came to participate. There were also people from the area who had heard about it and thought that searching for traces was important.

What do you think of the action today?

The motto of the history workshops, ‘Dig where you stand’, had never before been used in Berlin in such a political way. It wasn’t about the ruins of a monastery church or a city wall. The action ultimately led to the discovery of cellar remains and the marking of the entire site.

After this action, alliances had formed and the site had garnered a lot of attention from the exhibit “Der umschwiegene Ort” at the New Society for Fine Arts, which meant the site’s significance could no longer be ignored.

The action was not popular. To this day, officials do not mention these grassroots origins at dedications or events relating to this site. On official occasions, they present the exhibition marking Berlin’s 750th anniversary as the beginning. But that wasn’t until much later.

Jutta Kausch-Henken

Jutta Kausch-Henken is an actress, cabaret performer and peace activist. During the digging action she read a section of the manuscript aloud with three other people.

Jürgen Henschel 1923–2012

Jürgen Henschel worked for Die Wahrheit, the newspaper of the Socialist Unity Party of West Berlin SEW. His photographs document political, social and cultural life in West Berlin. He made an important contribution to German photojournalism.

Sabine Weißler *1958

"The motto 'Dig where you stand' had never before been used in Berlin in such a political way."

Sabine Weißler was a founding member and deputy chairwoman of the Active Museum. She represented the Alternative List for Democracy and Environmental Protection AL in the Berlin House of Representatives from 1989 to 1991. Later she ran the culture and library office in Steglitz-Zehlendorf and became city councillor for culture in Mitte.

How did you get involved?

I was a founding member of the Active Museum of Fascism and Resistance and, in my function as a cultural politician for the Alternative List, I was also a member of the jury for the redesign of the site of the former SS Reich Security Main Office.

The jury had lengthy discussions about whether remnants of the building existed. During one meeting, it was announced that the building had been demolished down to the cellar’s ceiling. This suggested that parts of the cellar must still exist. Then nothing happened for a time.

The Active Museum took the initiative and created an appeal for the symbolic digging action, which I organised with other members. This was long before desktop publishing; you can still see my sloppy handwriting on the flyer.

The day was exciting. We stood there and didn’t know where to start. I had seen enough photos to be able to estimate the distance to the Gropius Building. We struggled to dig through the fine debris, but by the end, we had left a visible mark.

We later realized that the estimate had been surprisingly accurate. If we had actually hit the floor slab, I would have fainted.

What in particular do you remember?

The large turnout. It wasn’t just friends who came to participate. There were also people from the area who had heard about it and thought that searching for traces was important.

What do you think of the action today?

The motto of the history workshops, ‘Dig where you stand’, had never before been used in Berlin in such a political way. It wasn’t about the ruins of a monastery church or a city wall. The action ultimately led to the discovery of cellar remains and the marking of the entire site.

After this action, alliances had formed and the site had garnered a lot of attention from the exhibit “Der umschwiegene Ort” at the New Society for Fine Arts, which meant the site’s significance could no longer be ignored.

The action was not popular. To this day, officials do not mention these grassroots origins at dedications or events relating to this site. On official occasions, they present the exhibition marking Berlin’s 750th anniversary as the beginning. But that wasn’t until much later.

Kirsten H.

“It was worth it. Now the Topography of Terror is located there.”

How did you get involved?

I was there because Jürgen Karwelat took me along. Jürgen was one of the organisers.

What in particular do you remember?

The dig was something special. It was a different kind of action.

What do you think of the action today?

It was worth it. Now the Topography of Terror is located there.

Christine Fischer-Defoy *1951

"It was a very moving and symbolic action."

In the 1980s, Christine Fischer-Defoy conducted research on the history of Berlin art schools in Nazi Germany. She was involved in the Active Museum and became chairwoman of the association in 1991. She later focused on emigration from Germany in 1933.  

How did you get involved?

We were told at the time by the Berlin state that no authentic remains were left on the grounds, that everything had been demolished and that it was pointless to look for historical traces there.

What in particular do you remember?

There were a lot of older people there, some of whom had been held in Gestapo prisons. We dug a trench along the area where we thought the enclosure wall of the Gestapo building might be, but we didn’t dig more than 30 centimetres.

What do you think of the action today?

It was a very moving and symbolic action that received a lot of media attention for turning this site into a memorial, a so-called “Denkort”.

In a way, it was the prelude to the Berlin state carrying out the real archaeological excavations the following year, during which several building remnants were discovered.

Sabine Weißler *1958

"The motto 'Dig where you stand' had never before been used in Berlin in such a political way."

Sabine Weißler was a founding member and deputy chairwoman of the Active Museum. She represented the Alternative List for Democracy and Environmental Protection AL in the Berlin House of Representatives from 1989 to 1991. Later she ran the culture and library office in Steglitz-Zehlendorf and became city councillor for culture in Mitte.

How did you get involved?

I was a founding member of the Active Museum of Fascism and Resistance and, in my function as a cultural politician for the Alternative List, I was also a member of the jury for the redesign of the site of the former SS Reich Security Main Office.

The jury had lengthy discussions about whether remnants of the building existed. During one meeting, it was announced that the building had been demolished down to the cellar’s ceiling. This suggested that parts of the cellar must still exist. Then nothing happened for a time.

The Active Museum took the initiative and created an appeal for the symbolic digging action, which I organised with other members. This was long before desktop publishing; you can still see my sloppy handwriting on the flyer.

The day was exciting. We stood there and didn’t know where to start. I had seen enough photos to be able to estimate the distance to the Gropius Building. We struggled to dig through the fine debris, but by the end, we had left a visible mark.

We later realized that the estimate had been surprisingly accurate. If we had actually hit the floor slab, I would have fainted.

What in particular do you remember?

The large turnout. It wasn’t just friends who came to participate. There were also people from the area who had heard about it and thought that searching for traces was important.

What do you think of the action today?

The motto of the history workshops, ‘Dig where you stand’, had never before been used in Berlin in such a political way. It wasn’t about the ruins of a monastery church or a city wall. The action ultimately led to the discovery of cellar remains and the marking of the entire site.

After this action, alliances had formed and the site had garnered a lot of attention from the exhibit “Der umschwiegene Ort” at the New Society for Fine Arts, which meant the site’s significance could no longer be ignored.

The action was not popular. To this day, officials do not mention these grassroots origins at dedications or events relating to this site. On official occasions, they present the exhibition marking Berlin’s 750th anniversary as the beginning. But that wasn’t until much later.

Annette Ahme *1957

“That was one of the best actions ever.”

In the 1980s, as a representative of the “Alternative List for Democracy and Environmental Protection”  AL party, Annette Ahme was a member of the Kreuzberg district council and the Berlin House of Representatives.  She was also a founding member of the Active Museum.

How did you get involved?

I had introduced the idea of ‘simply’ digging in public as a joint action with press coverage. I had spoken about it with Werner Orlowsky, the city councillor in charge of construction. He assured me that everything had been cleared away, that there was absolutely nothing left. I just didn’t believe it.

What in particular do you remember?

I drove around to different daycare centres and youth facilities with the man from Wille’s Locksmith Shop and an employee from daycare centre operations and we collected several spades and shovels.

My idea initially was ridiculed, but was adopted in the end.

What do you think of the action today?

It was one of the best actions ever.

Jürgen Karwelat *1951

“We were totally surprised that Gestapo cellars were actually uncovered at the site.”

Jürgen Karwelat joined the Berlin History Workshop in 1983. At the time of the dig, he was working as a lawyer at the Federal Cartel Office. He later transferred to different federal ministries. He is still involved in the Berlin History Workshop today.

How did you get involved?

I had organised a memorial service on the barren grounds a few years earlier to commemorate the end of World War II. So I was on board right away when the Active Museum approached us about doing something there to mark the perpetrator site.

What in particular do you remember?

I was the organiser of the event and hadn’t told the police or the Senate Administration that not only were we going to read a text, but that we also planned to do some actual digging.

Fortunately, the police, who observed the event from a distance, didn’t approach me about this during the action.

What do you think of the action today?

It was very successful. We were totally surprised that cellars of the Gestapo headquarters were actually uncovered a few months later at the very site where we had dug symbolically.

With this action, we gave an important boost to the Topography of Terror Documentation Centre.

Udo Gößwald *1955

“The action was an important example of civic engagement."

Political and cultural scientist Udo Gößwald was a founding member of the Berlin History Workshop and the Active Museum. He served as director of the Neukölln Museum from 1987 to 2022.

How did you get involved?

I enthusiastically supported the action and during the dig, I read aloud texts on the function of the Reich Security Main Office and the site’s history.

What in particular do you remember?

The enthusiastic digging at the site.

What do you think of the action today?

The action was an important example of civic engagement that got the ball rolling to intensify research into resistance and persecution under the Nazi regime.

At the same time, the perpetrator site was publicly marked and the Berlin Senate was called upon to establish a memorial and documentation centre there.

Jutta Kausch-Henken

Jutta Kausch-Henken is an actress, cabaret performer and peace activist. During the digging action she read a section of the manuscript aloud with three other people.

Veronika Hitpaß *1953

Veronika Hitpaß moved to West Berlin to study sociology. She was politically active and involved in youth work. She later worked as a teacher.

Falk Harnack 1913–1991

Falk Harnack was a resistance fighter in Nazi Germany and had contact with the White Rose and Red Orchestra resistance groups. After the war, he became a successful screenwriter and director. The Active Museum made him an honorary member in 1984.

Fritz Teppich 1918–2012

Fritz Teppich fought against Franco in the Spanish Civil War and did not return to Germany until 1946. A committed communist, he lived in West Berlin and worked for the GDR news agency ADN. He worked tirelessly against fascism and in the West Berlin peace movement.

Falk Harnack 1913–1991

Falk Harnack was a resistance fighter in Nazi Germany and had contact with the White Rose and Red Orchestra resistance groups. After the war, he became a successful screenwriter and director. The Active Museum made him an honorary member in 1984.

Kurt Schilde (*1947)

Kurt Schilde, a native of Berlin, completed his sociology degree in 1981 and worked for the Tempelhof district office. He transferred to the district museum in the late 1980s. Later, he worked on research projects about National Socialism for other Berlin institutions.

Fritz Teppich 1918–2012

Fritz Teppich fought against Franco in the Spanish Civil War and did not return to Germany until 1946. A committed communist, he lived in West Berlin and worked for the GDR news agency ADN. He worked tirelessly against fascism and in the West Berlin peace movement.

Christiane Zieseke *1948

“I found it scandalous how the city of Berlin had dealt with the site”

Christiane Zieseke studied art history. She was involved in the Alternative List for Democracy and Environmental Protection AL and the New Society for Fine Arts, where she became managing director in 1987. She joined the board of the Active Museum in 1985.

How did you get involved?

I was a member of the association’s board and had been involved with the site for some time, including in connection with rebuilding the Gropius Building. I found it scandalous how the city of Berlin – the mayor in particular – had dealt with the site.

What in particular do you remember?

There really wasn’t much to see. But the press response was remarkable.

What do you think of the action today?

It was much more effective than I had thought it would be. It was the beginning of serious public engagement with this history.

Hans Peter Stiebing 1956–2017

Hans Peter Stiebing was a photographer and editor at the Taz newspaper. He also took photographs in East Berlin and documented the fall of the Wall in November 1989. His photos capture life in divided Berlin and show the two halves of the city growing back together after 1989.

Jürgen Karwelat *1951

“We were totally surprised that Gestapo cellars were actually uncovered at the site.”

Jürgen Karwelat joined the Berlin History Workshop in 1983. At the time of the dig, he was working as a lawyer at the Federal Cartel Office. He later transferred to different federal ministries. He is still involved in the Berlin History Workshop today.

How did you get involved?

I had organised a memorial service on the barren grounds a few years earlier to commemorate the end of World War II. So I was on board right away when the Active Museum approached us about doing something there to mark the perpetrator site.

What in particular do you remember?

I was the organiser of the event and hadn’t told the police or the Senate Administration that not only were we going to read a text, but that we also planned to do some actual digging.

Fortunately, the police, who observed the event from a distance, didn’t approach me about this during the action.

What do you think of the action today?

It was very successful. We were totally surprised that cellars of the Gestapo headquarters were actually uncovered a few months later at the very site where we had dug symbolically.

With this action, we gave an important boost to the Topography of Terror Documentation Centre.

Udo Gößwald *1955

“The action was an important example of civic engagement."

Political and cultural scientist Udo Gößwald was a founding member of the Berlin History Workshop and the Active Museum. He served as director of the Neukölln Museum from 1987 to 2022.

How did you get involved?

I enthusiastically supported the action and during the dig, I read aloud texts on the function of the Reich Security Main Office and the site’s history.

What in particular do you remember?

The enthusiastic digging at the site.

What do you think of the action today?

The action was an important example of civic engagement that got the ball rolling to intensify research into resistance and persecution under the Nazi regime.

At the same time, the perpetrator site was publicly marked and the Berlin Senate was called upon to establish a memorial and documentation centre there.

Bernhard Müller *1950

Bernhard Müller is a member of the Berlin History Workshop. Trained as an industrial clerk and accountant, he later studied history and organized exhibitions on historical topics.

Christine Fischer-Defoy *1951

"It was a very moving and symbolic action."

In the 1980s, Christine Fischer-Defoy conducted research on the history of Berlin art schools in Nazi Germany. She was involved in the Active Museum and became chairwoman of the association in 1991. She later focused on emigration from Germany in 1933.  

How did you get involved?

We were told at the time by the Berlin state that no authentic remains were left on the grounds, that everything had been demolished and that it was pointless to look for historical traces there.

What in particular do you remember?

There were a lot of older people there, some of whom had been held in Gestapo prisons. We dug a trench along the area where we thought the enclosure wall of the Gestapo building might be, but we didn’t dig more than 30 centimetres.

What do you think of the action today?

It was a very moving and symbolic action that received a lot of media attention for turning this site into a memorial, a so-called “Denkort”.

In a way, it was the prelude to the Berlin state carrying out the real archaeological excavations the following year, during which several building remnants were discovered.