East-West couple celebrates unit: 70 years of life story on the green band

East-West couple celebrates unit: 70 years of life story on the green band

On October 3, 2025, the couple Rüdiger and Hiltrud Baege embarked on a very special trip back into the past on the occasion of the GDR national holiday. Rüdiger celebrates his 70th birthday on October 7 and reflects on a life that was spent in equal parts in the GDR and in the west. Since their marriage in 1983, the two have undertaken a unique 1394 -kilometer hike along the green band, the former inner German border.

For Baege, the green band is not only a geographical place, but also part of their personal history. On their way, they encountered many important places, including the former "Klein-Berlin" Mödlareuth and the NATO observation base Point Alpha. Memorials and souvenirs occupy a significant place in their life. Rüdiger has photographed numerous of these sites to keep the memory of Germany's division.

Personal stories of division

Rüdiger, who originally comes from Halle, remembers the difficulties that his family experienced during the division. His brother submitted an application for a departure in 1976 and was only allowed to travel to the west four years later. The members of the brother could not appear on their own wedding due to a Stasi list. These individual stories of separation are of great importance for the couple and have shaped their view of German unity.

The turn in 1989 brought a relief, but the way to the new reality was not without hurdles. Rüdiger's company was sold, which led to a massive job loss for many of his former colleagues. It was also a challenge for him to find a new job in the east, which ultimately prompted his family to move to the West in 1994. At that time, the children were already 11, 13 and 15 years old.

The green band and its meaning

The green band is not only a hiking trail, but also the largest biotope network in Germany. From 2024 it will be on the German proposal list for the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This award could significantly strengthen awareness of the history of the place. In order to convey the importance of the former death strip as a lifeline of nature, the app "The Green Band-From the Death Strip to the Lifeline" was launched by the Federal Foundation to deal with the SED dictatorship. It was released on September 25, 2025 and offers comprehensive information on 900 locations along the 1,378 kilometers long border.

This application serves as an interactive travel guide and educational offer. Users find digital maps, 2,500 photos, archive material and audible information texts on topics such as the peaceful revolution and the forced relocations in the GDR. Thematic routes are also available for hikers and cyclists. The development of the app is the result of a cooperation of numerous institutions from various federal states and research institutions at FU Berlin.

Rüdiger and Hiltrud Baege are convinced that personal encounters can help reduce prejudices and to promote understanding of life in the other part of Germany. "There is a lack of knowledge of life in the other part of Germany," emphasizes Rüdiger Baege and demands more information and openness from politics. On the occasion of their long way along the green band, the message of the Baege remains clear: the bridges between east and west have to be built - and this begins with understanding for each other.

The app, which is available from today, could play an important role here because it illustrates history and nature along the former border and thus promotes awareness of the value of the unit View.