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| Communist theme park to open its gates |
| 2003-02-28 |
| Hoping to capitalise on a wave of nostalgia for Communist East Germany, a Berlin company is planning to build a theme park that revives life behind the Iron Curtain in the country that disappeared nearly 13 years ago. Massine Productions GmbH hopes to recreate a 10,000-square metre (107,600 sq ft) replica of East Germany, complete with surly border guards, rigorous customs inspections, authentic East German mark notes, and restaurants with regulation bland East German food. What, no Wall? Where's the damn wall? "The aim isn't to make big joke out of East Germany," said Susanne Reich, a spokeswoman for the company which is expected to invest several million euros on the project, slated for the southeastern Berlin district of Koepenick. "It was an important part of Germany's history and the period should be recreated as accurately as possible." Jump the fence and get machine gunned! Nostalgia for East Germany has lingered ever since reunification in 1990. Known as "Ostalgie", a play on the German words for east and nostalgia, the spirit has given rise to scores of "GDR parties", books, songs and popular films. Yeah, those nostalgic days... what's up next, "Naziland"? A German film "Good Bye, Lenin", in which a man recreates East Germany in a 79-square-metre (850-sq-ft) flat to protect his ailing mother from the shock of reunification after she comes out of a coma, has surged to the top of the German film charts and more than a million people have been to see it. Even though East Germany lasted just four decades, Reich insists that the project has the potential to go the distance: "We've spoken to a number of tourist agencies in Europe and the United States, and there's been plenty of interest." |
| Posted by:tu3031 |
| #11 We have very simaler things hear in the U.S.but they are billed as living historic sites. Jamestown Old Tucson,Az.(been there had lots of fun,can-can dancers real friendly) Tombstone,Az."The town too Tough to Die" |
| Posted by: raptor 2003-03-01 07:12:32 |
| #10 RS, it might be a good idea if you could trust them to not Disnify it. "Behind me you can see the Berlin Wall, it was made of Cheese and was brought down by the diligant efforts of Mickey and Minny Mouse. They chewed thier way to freedom." |
| Posted by: JS 2003-03-01 00:17:31 |
| #9 I think this is a good idea. Let the people see what it was like, so they never vote for a communist in any election, not even an ex-communist. |
| Posted by: RW 2003-02-28 20:07:44 |
| #8 TGA - Thank god you made it. The best for you and yours in the future. Jack |
| Posted by: Jack Bross 2003-02-28 20:03:39 |
| #7 You are very brave, TGA. |
| Posted by: anon 2003-02-28 18:23:56 |
| #6 "Jump the fence and get machine gunned!" Or paint balled? (Yes, I do realize the 'jump the fence' comment was also sarcasm.) I sat there with a grin that left permanent lines in my face (it didn't go away for days), and tears running down my cheeks, when I heard that the wall came down. I think it's a bit too early to make a theme park of the east side of it. |
| Posted by: Kathy K 2003-02-28 18:07:43 |
| #5 You would think that if they simply taught the true history of EG, they wouldn't need a theme park, nor would there be this nostalgia - just replay the news footage of the drab apartment buildings, and the people being shot and dog mauled as they try to cross the border.....oh, it seems like only yesterday (fade out) |
| Posted by: Rex Mundi 2003-02-28 16:53:31 |
| #4 Well, TGA, you sure deflated my balloon. I'm glad they missed. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2003-02-28 16:23:51 |
| #3 I don't blame you for your comments but just like to tell you that I was one of the guys who actually jumped the fence and got machine gunned (unsuccesfully). My nostalgic feelings are more than limited. |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2003-02-28 16:19:31 |
| #2 Ohhh! Mom! Take me there! |
| Posted by: Fred 2003-02-28 16:08:06 |
| #1 I think this is a good idea. Let the people see what it was like, so they never vote for a communist in any election, not even an ex-communist. |
| Posted by: RW 2/28/2003 8:07:44 PM |