24 Comments
User's avatar
Michael, not Mike's avatar

Love the photos and storytelling! Cool to hear about a place like this!

Expand full comment
Ari Magnusson's avatar

Thanks for reading and glad you liked the photos and writing! It's one of those deep cuts that I'm only starting to make sense of after two and a half years in Berlin.

Expand full comment
Malcolm Gilderdale's avatar

This project is so incredible, Ari. Your work always makes me feel as if I've actually been somewhere and learned something valuable. "Feels like revenge" is a pretty good summary of a lot of the political energy globally right now.

Expand full comment
Ari Magnusson's avatar

Thank you so much Malcolm! Couldn't ask for a more encouraging piece of feedback than that, as somsone who knows travel writing well. Indeed, the MAGA energy is unfrtounately alive and well in East Germany.

Expand full comment
Michal Misiek Baranowski's avatar

Great article! Good to see some comparisons from both sides. Great documentary work!

Expand full comment
Ari Magnusson's avatar

I really appreciate that, thank you! The difference on either side of the Oder is so interesting to me.

Expand full comment
Michal Misiek Baranowski's avatar

In southern Poland there is city divided in two parts by Olza river. Cieszyn and Czech Cieszyn. Your project inspired me to do some documentary trip and see the differences.

Expand full comment
David A. Westbrook's avatar

Nicely done, Ari. Not really fair, photographing gray under gray skies! But it sure did underscore your point.

Expand full comment
Ari Magnusson's avatar

Haha, that's certainly true that I didn't photograph either city in its best light, but it's just a fact that grey skies are the default weather at this time of year in north eastern Germany. Thank you for the kind words!

Expand full comment
Lin Gregory's avatar

Great article and images Ari, the picture you paint has really opened my eyes into what East Germany is like after reunification.

Expand full comment
Ari Magnusson's avatar

Thanks Lin, I'm really happy to hear you got something from this and I appreciate the encouragement.

Expand full comment
Björn Bremer's avatar

Wow! Everything’s so detailed explained, I don’t need photos to proof it. But they’re also nice. Very great article.

Expand full comment
Ari Magnusson's avatar

Thanks Björn, I really appreciate that!

Expand full comment
Dave Mead's avatar

Once again, a fascinating insight into a part of Europe that we hear nothing about in the UK. Thanks for sharing Ari.

Expand full comment
Ari Magnusson's avatar

Hey Dave, thank you! Yeah, definitely goes under the radar on the U.K., in much of Western Europe.

Expand full comment
Susanne Helmert's avatar

This was another excellent read. I wonder how many more generations it will need to change the east-west views in this country.

PS: I know you like photobooks. I wondered the other day: do you have “Waffenruhe” by Michael Schmidt? It is very cheap (15€) on Thalia books right now…

Expand full comment
Ari Magnusson's avatar

Hi Susanne, thank you so much! I wonder the same thing. Even as an outsider, I feel the difference in the air… and it’s been 35 years since 1989! Thank for for the book recommendation. I don’t have anything by Michael Schmidt, but for €15 I can certainly correct that mistake!

Expand full comment
Daniel Graham's avatar

Always so good, Ari.

Expand full comment
Ari Magnusson's avatar

Cheers Daniel! I appreciate it.

Expand full comment
Madeleine's avatar

This was a really great read. Interesting fact mixed with stunning pictures. Your way of documenting is absolutely my cup of tea 👍

Expand full comment
Ari Magnusson's avatar

Thank you Madeleine! I'm so happy to hear that this documentary combo of words and pictures resonates with the likes of yourself!

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

Really good stuff. Lots to think about! Love the sprockets on the b+w images! Great images.

Expand full comment
Ari Magnusson's avatar

Thanks Søren! The visible sprockets are an option on my scanning peripheral and I kinda like it even if it's a bit of a gimmick.

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

Gimmick or not, it works really well!

Expand full comment