Wolf Biermann

One of the unsung heroes of the Cold War, poet Wolf Biermann was born in 1936 in Hamburg, Germany. The son of a German communist killed in Auschwitz, Biermann emigrated—“in unbroken humility”—to East Berlin in 1953—to “sing in revolt”—with Brecht's Berliner Ensemble.

“I can only love what I am free to leave.”

Wolf Biermann became popular as a performer of his satirical songs and ballads—but—as he grew critical of the régime—was forbidden to perform in East Germany from 1962—more or less—until 1976 when he was stripped of his citizenship and sent into exile by the politburo—a theatrical gesture—after his state-sponsored concert in Cologne.

“I do not keep silent about my silence.”

Not to be undone—Wolf Biermann—the source of countless poetries and recorded lyrics—returned to perform in East Berlin in 1989, and was named an honorary citizen of Berlin eight years later.

“Still it is taking place—the sunrise.  The dark night, still—it is being preformed.”

Wolf Biermann lives in Hamburg, Germany.