Ostalgie - a part of a new East German identity?

The exploration of identity among East Germans post-reunification highlights the complexities of cultural nostalgia, particularly through the phenomenon of Ostalgie, which revives symbols and products of the former GDR. This essay investigates the motivations behind this distinct Eastern identity, questioning whether it stems from nostalgia or a response to the challenges of transformation. It posits that Ostidentität serves as a coping mechanism amid an asymmetrical integration process dominated by West Germany, suggesting that such identity will persist as long as these disparities exist.