In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s fall, the ‘East-West Buffet’ at Spreewaldgasthaus ‘Byttna’ brings together over 100 guests to share nostalgic dishes from both East and West Germany. Highlights include Jägerschnitzel and traditional East German fare alongside West German favorites like chicken nuggets and fries. The event fosters unity and reflection on the past, while guests reminisce about their experiences and the evolving perceptions of East-West distinctions among younger generations.
Celebrating 35 Years Since the Berlin Wall Came Down: Culinary Contrasts of East and West Germany
“Comrades and connoisseurs, your entry has been granted!” announces chef and owner Jens Schneider, eliciting laughter from the crowd as he opens the annual ‘East-West Buffet’ at the Spreewaldgasthaus ‘Byttna’ in Straupitz. Over 100 nostalgic guests have gathered to celebrate this unique culinary event.
The concept is simple yet powerful: whether they hail from the East or West, everyone sits together to share a meal that evokes memories and fosters understanding of each other’s past experiences through food.
Discovering Jägerschnitzel: A Taste of the East
At one end of the buffet, a spread includes potatoes, Eisbein, Kochklopse, and Jägerschnitzel, which in the East is a breaded sausage served with noodles and tomato sauce. For many, this meal brings back childhood memories. “This is pure nostalgia for me. Lots of tomato sauce and Jägerschnitzel—it was always simple and affordable,” shares a guest.
According to Stefan Wolle, scientific director of the DDR Museum in Berlin, Jägerschnitzel has become a symbol of East German cuisine. Meat was often scarce, prompting many to stock up whenever possible, leading to a culture of preparation for times of shortage.
Wolle elaborates that the scarcity paradoxically led to waste and excess in the GDR. “The constant shortage of goods, including food, resulted in many items being hoarded and sometimes spoiled,” he notes. Southeast fruits and real chocolate were rare treasures, and people had to be resourceful when it came to their meals. “You had to be lucky, know the delivery schedules, and maintain good relationships with shopkeepers,” he adds.
Many have artistically expressed their memories of the wall’s fall, further enriching the narrative of this historical occasion.
‘Fries with Everything’: A West German Experience
In contrast, the West boasted a variety of readily available food items. A guest from Hamburg, now residing in Neuruppin, enjoys his Eisbein and sauerkraut, proclaiming it to be “typical West German cuisine” despite it being from the ‘Ossi’ buffet.
Guests must navigate past images of Helmut Kohl and Erich Honecker to reach the West buffet, where a variety of dishes await. “They were seldom this close in real life,” jokes waitress Simone Schneider, pointing to the posters above a spread of Soljanka and beef soup.
The ‘Wessi’ buffet features chicken nuggets, Bavarian pork knuckle, and a must-have: fries. Chef Jens Schneider notes that he can always tell when a former ‘Wessi’ is dining; they tend to order fries with everything, regardless of the dish.
“The West was all about exotic foods and a plethora of fruits like kiwi and avocado that were unfamiliar in the East,” explains Wolle. Vegetarian and vegan options flourished in the BRD, while in the GDR, such requests were often unmet due to availability issues.
Pizza was a staple in the West long before it made its way eastward, only gaining popularity in East Germany post-reunification.
The director of the Federal Foundation for Reappraisal emphasizes the need for enhanced support in researching GDR history.
A Journey of Reflection and Unity
Simone Schneider, who celebrates her birthday on German Unity Day, appreciates the unity that has prevailed for 34 years but expresses a longing for the sense of security she felt in the GDR. “There were aspects that were comforting,” she reflects. “Not everything from that time was negative,” adds another guest.
René Nittel and his wife Astrid, who relocated from Görlitz to Baden-Württemberg after reunification, are now vacationing in Brandenburg. They share insights into both sides of the former divide.
From René’s perspective, the distinctions between individuals from the former GDR and BRD remain. “Even today, people still use terms like ‘Ossi’ and ‘Wessi.’ It’s still a part of our generation’s mindset.” However, he notes a shift for younger people: “Our children learn about it mainly through stories.” Astrid adds, “The conversation continues, but it’s no longer a contentious issue.”