Germany, Democratic Republic (DDR) #1416a (1972) – Characters of “Fairy Tale Forest” a GDR Children’s Television Show

Description

Germany, Democratic Republic (DDR) #1416a (1972) – Characters of “Fairy Tale Forest” a GDR Children’s Television Show

Sheet of 6: #1411-1416

During the 1970s, the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) had a unique cultural landscape, including children’s television programming that reflected the socialist ideology of the state. Some notable children’s TV shows from that era include:

1. “Spuk unterm Riesenrad” (1979):
   • English Title: “Spook under the Big Top”
   • A popular children’s series that combined elements of fantasy and adventure. The story follows a group of children who have mystical encounters while working at a traveling circus.
2. “Das unsichtbare Visier” (1973-1979):
   • English Title: “The Invisible Visor”
   • Although not explicitly a children’s show, this spy thriller series became popular among young viewers. It follows the adventures of a young Stasi agent, Captain Thomas Lieven, as he works undercover during World War II.
3. “Pan Tau” (1970-1978):
   • A joint production with Czechoslovakia, “Pan Tau” is about a magical man who can make wishes come true. He helps children solve their problems while remaining invisible to adults.
4. “Unser Sandmännchen” (1959-present):
   • English Title: “Our Little Sandman”
   • While “Unser Sandmännchen” started in the 1950s, it continued to be a beloved children’s show throughout the 1970s. The character Sandman visits children to bring them sweet dreams.
5. “Spuk im Hochhaus” (1974):
   • English Title: “Spook in the High Rise”
   • A television film targeted at children, “Spuk im Hochhaus” is a ghost story set in an apartment building. It combines humor and mild suspense suitable for young audiences.

These shows often aimed to entertain and educate children while promoting socialist values. They reflected the cultural and political context of East Germany during that time. Keep in mind that due to the political nature of the GDR, the content of children’s programming was influenced by state ideology and censorship.