Berlin, 1982. Morale is at rock bottom in East Germany as the spectre of an all-out nuclear war looms. The Ministry for State Security is hunting for creative new weapons in the war against the class enemy — and their solution is stranger than fiction. Rather than guns, tanks, or bombs, the Stasi develop a programme to fight capitalism through rhyme and verse, winning the culture war through poetry – and the result is the most bizarre book club in history.
Consisting of a small group of spies, soldiers and border guards – some WW2 veterans, others schoolboy recruits – the “Working Group of Writing Chekists” met monthly until the Wall fell. In a classroom adorned with portraits of Lenin, they wrote their own poetry and were taught verse, metre, and rhetoric by East German poet Uwe Berger.
The regime hoped that poetry would sharpen the Stasi’s ‘party sword’ by affirming the spies’ belief in the words of Marx and Lenin, as well as strengthening the socialist faith of their comrades. But as the agents became steeped in poetry, revelling in its imaginative ambiguity, the result was the opposite. Rather than entrenching State ideology, they began to question it — and following a radical role reversal, the GDR’s secret weapon dramatically backfired.
Weaving unseen archival material and exclusive interviews with surviving members, Philip Oltermann reveals the incredible hidden story of a unique experiment: weaponising poetry for politics. Both a gripping true story and a parable about creativity in a surveillance state, this is history writing at its finest.
Dive into the surreal and captivating world of Cold War espionage with Philip Oltermann's "The Stasi Poetry Circle," a meticulously researched and utterly bizarre true story that reads like the best fiction. This Export - Airside edition of the paperback unearths a hidden chapter of East German history, revealing how the Ministry for State Security, desperate to combat the perceived threats of Western capitalism, turned to the seemingly unlikely weapon of... poetry. Imagine Berlin in 1982, a city shrouded in the anxieties of nuclear proliferation, where the Stasi, known for its ruthless efficiency, hatched a plan to win the culture war through rhyme and verse. This wasn't a propaganda campaign of anthems and slogans; instead, they formed a secret book club, the "Working Group of Writing Chekists," comprised of spies, soldiers, and border guards, some grizzled veterans of World War II, others fresh-faced recruits. Under the tutelage of established East German poet Uwe Berger, these agents gathered monthly in classrooms adorned with portraits of Lenin. There, they grappled with verse, metre, and rhetoric, tasked with honing their "party sword" through the power of socialist verse. The regime's goal was clear: to reinforce their unwavering faith in Marxist-Leninist ideology and strengthen their comrades' dedication to the socialist cause. They hoped poetry would solidify their ideological purity and commitment. But the experiment took an unexpected and delightfully ironic turn. As the Stasi agents immersed themselves in the creative ambiguity of poetry, they began to question the very dogma they were meant to uphold. Oltermann masterfully chronicles this radical role reversal, revealing how the GDR's secret weapon spectacularly backfired. The agents, instead of becoming more entrenched in state ideology, found themselves contemplating its inherent contradictions and limitations. The very act of creative expression planted seeds of doubt within their minds. Oltermann's book is more than just a quirky historical anecdote. Its a profound exploration of the subversive power of art, even in the most oppressive environments. Through meticulous research, including previously unseen archival material and exclusive interviews with surviving members of the poetry circle, Oltermann paints a vivid portrait of life behind the Iron Curtain and the unexpected ways in which individuals can resist authoritarianism. The authors meticulousness is palpable on every page, as he brings the reader into the very heart of this unlikely group. "The Stasi Poetry Circle" resonates far beyond its specific historical context. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked state power and a testament to the enduring human spirit's capacity for creativity and dissent. Its a must-read for anyone interested in Cold War history, German literature, or the intersection of art and politics. Prepare to be captivated by this gripping true story, a parable about creativity in a surveillance state, and a testament to history writing at its most compelling. At 201 pages, published by Faber & Faber in 2022, this book offers both a deep dive and an engaging read, perfect for history buffs and literature enthusiasts alike. Philip Oltermanns impressive research has been lauded across the literary world, with critics praising the author's narrative skill and insight. Don't miss this chance to explore this fascinating and often humorous episode from behind the Iron Curtain.