Erwin Strittmatter
Encyclopedia
Erwin Strittmatter was a German
writer
. Strittmatter was one of the most famous writers in the GDR.
Strittmatter was born the son of a baker. After graduating from the Realgymnasium at the age of 17, he started an apprenticeship as a baker. Later, he worked as baker, waiter, chauffeur, zookeeper and unskilled laborer.
In 1940 he volunteered to the Waffen-SS
but was rejected. During the Second World War Strittmatter served as a member of the Ordnungspolizei
in the SS-Polizei-Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 18, which was involved in the deportation of Jews from Athens
. In October till December 1941 his unit was stationed at Cracow, probably as guards of the Krakau Ghetto. Later Strittmatter completed courses in anti-partisan
warfare and was deployed in Slovenia
, Finland
und Greece
.
Strittmatter deserted near the end of the war and continued to work as a baker while also working as a correspondent, later as an editor for a newspaper. In 1947, he became head official of seven municipalitites. In 1954 Strittmatter began working as a freelance writer. Strittmatter married Eva Strittmatter
, who went on to become one of the most successful poets of East Germany, in 1956.
In 1955 he was awarded the National Prize
of the GDR for his novel Tinko, in 1961 he received the Lessing
award of the GDR. His 1963 novel "Ole Bienkopp" was the first widely read work of literature in East Germany to break the constraints of Socialist Realism and offer a tragic hero who critized representatives of the ruling Socialist Unity Party in the course of the novel.
On 31 January 1994, Erwin Strittmatter died after long illness.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
. Strittmatter was one of the most famous writers in the GDR.
Strittmatter was born the son of a baker. After graduating from the Realgymnasium at the age of 17, he started an apprenticeship as a baker. Later, he worked as baker, waiter, chauffeur, zookeeper and unskilled laborer.
In 1940 he volunteered to the Waffen-SS
Waffen-SS
The Waffen-SS was a multi-ethnic and multi-national military force of the Third Reich. It constituted the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel or SS, an organ of the Nazi Party. The Waffen-SS saw action throughout World War II and grew from three regiments to over 38 divisions, and served alongside...
but was rejected. During the Second World War Strittmatter served as a member of the Ordnungspolizei
Ordnungspolizei
The Ordnungspolizei or Orpo were the uniformed regular police force in Nazi Germany between 1936 and 1945. It was increasingly absorbed into the Nazi police system. Owing to their green uniforms, they were also referred to as Grüne Polizei...
in the SS-Polizei-Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 18, which was involved in the deportation of Jews from Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
. In October till December 1941 his unit was stationed at Cracow, probably as guards of the Krakau Ghetto. Later Strittmatter completed courses in anti-partisan
Partisan (military)
A partisan is a member of an irregular military force formed to oppose control of an area by a foreign power or by an army of occupation by some kind of insurgent activity...
warfare and was deployed in Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
und Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
.
Strittmatter deserted near the end of the war and continued to work as a baker while also working as a correspondent, later as an editor for a newspaper. In 1947, he became head official of seven municipalitites. In 1954 Strittmatter began working as a freelance writer. Strittmatter married Eva Strittmatter
Eva Strittmatter
Eva Strittmatter was a German writer of poetry, prose, and children's literature. Her poetry books sold millions of copies, making her the most successful German poet of the second half of the 20th century....
, who went on to become one of the most successful poets of East Germany, in 1956.
In 1955 he was awarded the National Prize
National Prize of East Germany
The National Prize of the German Democratic Republic was an award of the German Democratic Republic given out in three different classes for scientific, artistic, and other meritorious achievement...
of the GDR for his novel Tinko, in 1961 he received the Lessing
Lessing
Lessing - German family of writers and artists*Johann Gottfried Lessing pastor primarus in Kamenz, well respected, published theologian, translator and father of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing and Karl Gotthelf Lessing...
award of the GDR. His 1963 novel "Ole Bienkopp" was the first widely read work of literature in East Germany to break the constraints of Socialist Realism and offer a tragic hero who critized representatives of the ruling Socialist Unity Party in the course of the novel.
On 31 January 1994, Erwin Strittmatter died after long illness.