Study seminar January 22, 2004 at the Martin Luther University Halle

A brief overview of the course and purpose of the Franco-German study seminar in Halle

On the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the Franco-German Élysée Treaty on January 22, 2004, a study seminar was held at Martin Luther University in Halle. East German students, including a delegation from Dresden, met French students from France and Germany from January 19 to 24, 2004.
The aim was to analyze the German reunification process of 1989 in five different working groups. The topics were:

1. comparing the peaceful revolution of 1989 with the great French Revolution of 1789,
2. the assessment of diplomatic relations between France and the GDR
3. the perception of German unity by the French press,
4. images of France in the GDR media (changes after 1989/90) and
5. the influence of reunification on Franco-German town twinning.

This group work was carried out in the morning and afternoon, and various guests were invited to give lectures and take part in discussions in the evening. Among them was the last French ambassador to the GDR - Joëlle Timsit - who was always available for talks and interviews. In addition, the writer Erich Loest gave a brief insight into his novel "Nikolaikirche" and an excerpt from the film version. Other important guests included academics from various universities, such as Prof. Dr. Röseberg, Dr. Casasus, Prof. Dr. von Oppeln and others, as well as the French journalist M. Beaulieu. This intercultural mixture of German and French contemporary witnesses and academics enabled a very effective and informative collaboration, in which facts and unconscious perspectives that I was unaware of became present.
This study seminar was undoubtedly successful and should take place much more often. The reasons for this are, for example, the facts that

1. the history of the GDR is too rarely dealt with at school (from my school days I only know the dates of the division of Germany and the building of the Wall),
2. school leavers of this year hardly have any impressions or experiences of their own from GDR times,
3. literature or research projects based on French relations with the GDR play only a minor role,
4. there is a need to educate not only the young German generation, but also the French, as they also have a right to first-hand information.

In addition, the knowledge acquired on the importance of foreign policy and intercultural relations should be used to counteract the emergence or existence of stereotypes, because a personal exchange of experiences and opinions can prevent or correct the emergence of prejudices and misunderstandings.
I am well aware that the GDR is not one of the chapters of our German history that we can be proud of, but it remains a constant part of our past and, for the time being, of our (everyday) culture.
Perhaps in the near future it will be possible to turn the concept of a study seminar developed in Halle to celebrate Franco-German friendship into a tradition. This would give many French students the opportunity to meet French German students once a year and research topics relating to Franco-German relations together.

Nicole Oelmann
Teaching English/French