Everything. Knowledge. Desire.

How did surveillance work in the GDR? What traces did the secret police leave behind in the files and in people's lives? From 6 March to 5 April 2026, the Heimathaus Traunstein City Museum will present the travelling exhibition "Everything. Knowledge. Desire. The Stasi and its documents" from the Federal Archives – Stasi Records Archive.
The exhibition focuses on original objects from the archive. Seven display cases show facsimiles of 21 striking exhibits that illustrate the Stasi's human rights violations and the drastic consequences for those affected.
Highlights of the exhibition include:
The "A" made of aluminium foil: A handmade symbol for "Ausreise" (departure) that a married couple hung in their window in 1985 – a silent protest with fatal consequences.
Surveillance photos: Insight into the comprehensive surveillance, for example during Chancellor Helmut Schmidt's visit to the GDR in 1981, when nearly 5,000 Stasi agents were deployed.
Digital immersion: Each display case is equipped with QR codes that link to an accompanying online platform with almost 400 documents, photos, audio files and films.
A place of learning for schools and the public
"Everything. Knowledge. Desire." is not only a retrospective, but also an impetus for the present. The exhibition shows how important access to information is for a functioning democracy. The Heimathaus City Museum therefore offers a special service for educational institutions: special tours for school classes are also available outside regular opening hours by arrangement.

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Last edited on 09.03.2026