Visitors from Behind the Elbe. German Language Reportages about Warsaw from the Years 1955–1970

Visitors from Behind the Elbe. German-Language Reportages about Warsaw from the Years 1955–1970 The article is devoted to German-language reportages from Warsaw 1955– 1970. On one hand, turning point marks the Warsaw Youth and Student Festival in 1955, since the borders opened wider for guests from the West, and on the other – the end of 1970, when Willy Brandt’s visit to Warsaw brought a breakthrough in West Germany-PRL relations. 40 texts from German-language magazines appearing in West Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Argentina and Canada were used, both high-volume (e.g. “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” or “Neue Zürcher Zeitung”) as well as regional, religious, industry or popular illustrated magazines. Among the authors were both journalists (later often associated with Poland, e.g. H. Stehle, L. Zimmerer or H.-J. Orth), as well as occasionally visiting scientists, businessmen and artists. A small percentage were women (two articles were used: Margit Staber, Eka von Merveldt). The texts contain a wide spectrum of observations – from public space (stations, hotels, urban and architectural landscape, shops), through the appearance and behaviour of residents, to politics (both the lack of aggressive propaganda and the events of 1956 and 1968). Comparing Warsaw with other capitals, mainly Moscow and Berlin (eastern), was a natural procedure. And although the reportages does not lack critical remarks, positive opinions prevailed, emphasizing the modernity and “westernization” of the Polish capital.