The post-communist transformations of the property ownership is a topic less attractive than other issues connected with the society and politics reconstruction but it has a fundamental dynamic for the social and political evolution. Although I am very much familiar with the legal and personal aspects involved by the restitution processes in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania, I wasn´t very much aware of the milestones of a similar process in the former GDR.
Alter Adel - Neues Land? by Dr. Ines Langelüddecke is based on the author´s doctoral researches. It covers three specific regions in the county of Brandenburg, through the perspective and changes brought over by the return of former nobel owners.
Brandenburg, formerly part of the GDR, a region with small villages and pristine nature, a beloved place for the Red Army soldiers who used former castles and palaces, as their headquarters or holiday residences, is currently undergoing a return of members of old nobel orders. Their former family properties are integrated into a new social and economic eco-system - like hotels - or used for private residence. Historically, there may be a continuity after the communist césure, but the social structure and human networks, as well as the economic framework is fundamentally different.
The book is based on extensive interviews and sociological and anthropological observations and research, offering not only date, but also an idea of the clash of mentalities - if any - and the new constructions being set.
It was a new topic for me that I hope to be able to deepen, especially as someone tho extensively explored the region of Brandenburg, particularly small villages and the micro-societies they represent. The book is only available in German so far.
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