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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Letters

Decades after Germany’s reunification, views still differ on its cultural divide

Carolin Würfel Germany GDR Alternative für Deutschland
Couple browsing in a bookstore in Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany
‘There are so many other East German authors, among them Sarah Kirsch, Stefan Heym, Erwin Strittmatter and Jurek Becker that she [Carolin Würfel] does not mention.’ Photograph: Alamy

Carolin Würfel expresses her disappointment about West Germans’ ignorance concerning East German writers (East German culture has been ignored for too long. Until we embrace it, our country will remain dangerously divided, 20 August). She expressly mentioned two of them, both women: Brigitte Reimann and Jenny Erpenbeck. Both, she states, were until recently unknown to West Germans and ignored by West German publishing houses.

Being (West) German myself (born in 1958), I can only disagree. Besides, there are so many other East German authors, among them Sarah Kirsch, Stefan Heym, Erwin Strittmatter and Jurek Becker (and many more) that she does not mention. They were all represented by (West) German publishers. I read them myself.

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