The GDR, however it may be assessed historically,
was, for each and every one of us,
with very different experiences,
the life we had lived up to that point.
Just as we have all become who we are,
we have become who we are here.
And I regret that the unification process
has been reduced to a mere annexation,
but I am convinced
there are also new opportunities.
We can still set the signals
towards reconciliation
rather than hostility.
Truly, they have made an effort.
You, the construction workers,
and our entire people
take pride of
this Palace of the Republic.
Our socialist culture
will also find a homeland here,
just like the cheerfulness and conviviality
of the working people.
In April 1976, the palace was officially inaugurated.
So here we are today, to celebrate a festival.
A celebration of the people of our Republic.
For this building,
Palace of the Republic,
was built by the builders for themselves and their peers,
erected with the marble of the hard-won,
the steel of concentration in its halls,
it will yield thoughts,
like a mine yields coal.
Yes,
Palace of the victors of history.
Working class,
You, construction workers,
you are the first to be thanked.
Our task, of course, is to provide information,
primarily about the Palace of the Republic,
which represents something completely new of its kind.
We also provide information about the capital
and our main task is, in fact, to do everything
to ensure our guests feel truly at ease in our house.
Do you speak foreign languages? Yes!
(Russian) Do you speak Russian?
Yes, I speak Russian. I used to work as a tour guide.
(Russian) Do you speak any other languages?
(Russian) Yes, English as well.
English.
(English) Where were you employed before?
(English) I was employed at the GDR travel agency.
To the General Secretary of the Central Committee
of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany
Comrade Erich Honecker was elected.
Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!
There will be no more GDR.
The GDR will be nothing
but a footnote in world history.
The People’s Chamber declares the accession of the GDR
to the scope of application of the Basic Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany
in accordance with Article 23 of the Federal Constitution
with effect from 3 October 1990.
This is available to you in printed paper 201.
Parliament has decided, no more and no less,
than the abolition of the German Democratic Republic on 3 October 1990
right now.
The GDR, however it may be historically assessed,
was for each of us
– with very different experiences –
the life we had lived up to that point.
With immediate effect, the Palace of the Republic,
due to health risks posed by asbestos,
is to be closed to all public use.
Just as we all have become,
we have become here.