You ask the question: “What did you buy with your Begrüßungsgeld (welcome money)?” But no answer comes to mind. In other words the answer is: Nothing.
There are no exact figures of how many people collected the Begrüßungsgeld (welcome money) – and certainly not of how many didn’t. While researching for the exhibition it quickly became clear that there were, of course, many who didn’t even want “their” Begrüßungsgeld (welcome money); for whom the period of reunification had such negative connotations that they preferred to not think or talk about it at all. In a practical sense, the Begrüßungsgeld (welcome money) marked the transition from one system to another but not everyone wanted to go along with it for various reasons.
The Begrüßungsgeld (welcome money) didn’t always inspire enthusiasm. Some, including the then president of the DSGV (Deutscher Sparkassen- und Giroverband) wanted it to be abolished because it was seen as a “degrading practice”. He referred to the seemingly endless queues in which GDR citizens lined up, with their entire families, despite the cold winter weather. Indeed, in the weeks that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall, scenes played out amongst the initial euphoria, curiosity and shopping frenzy that were not always perceived positively. Likewise, though certainly well intentioned, the distribution of free bananas and chocolate, repelled many.
Last but not least, it was also criticism of the Begrüßungsgeld (welcome money) itself, which led to it being rejected by many. The first offer the West made to the East was not one of political participation, but of consumption. Linked to that were concerns that the West could simply swallow the East and the monetary gift was perceived as an attempt at making the East purchasable. There were most certainly social spheres in the East in which the collection of the Begrüßungsgeld (welcome money) was frowned upon – and consequently not claimed, and if so, then secretly.
Rejection of the Begrüßungsgeld (welcome money) was therefore not uncommon and the reasons for it were manifold. That is why part of the history of the reunification and also part of our exhibition is an empty shopping cart.