OstWest Zeitzeugen

In the augmented reality app "EastWest Eyewitnesses – The Wall Years in AR," eyewitnesses recount the dramatic construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961: Elke Rosin made a spontaneous escape to West Berlin. Jörg Hildebrandt remained in East Germany despite his opposition to the political system. And Uwe Rutkowski, a member of the People's Police, initially guarded the border but increasingly developed doubts.

Using augmented reality, the eyewitnesses can be virtually placed in real-world spaces. They sit opposite you at eye level – up close and personal.

The app initially features the first chapter, "Construction of the Wall," commemorating the 65th anniversary of its construction. New chapters will be added regularly until 2029, so the app will eventually cover the history of German division from the Wall's construction to the present day.

We welcome your feedback at ar@wdr.de and a rating.

HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?

Watch the accounts of eyewitnesses, send us your questions for Elke, Jörg, and Uwe – and with a little luck, you could even meet the eyewitnesses in person. The editorial team will select the most compelling questions and invite the submitters to an interview with the eyewitnesses in Hamburg in October. This way, you might even get to ask your questions face-to-face.

The app team will read all the questions and group similar ones together. The eyewitnesses will answer as many as possible. Selected answers will be published in an app update in spring 2027, and all others will be available online on a website.

THE APP IN THE CLASSROOM

Teachers will find a teaching materials package and worksheets for the app in the app menu, suitable for social studies subjects. The "EastWest Eyewitnesses" app is also suitable for inclusive learning groups. The core target group is students from the 9th grade onward in all secondary schools. The individual elements of the app can be used in an interdisciplinary and differentiated manner.

IT'S EASY TO USE!

Point your tablet or smartphone camera at a clear area of ​​the floor from a distance of 2 meters – move the camera to scan the floor. A red circle will appear. Once the circle is filled, the eyewitnesses will automatically be virtually placed in the room. As they tell their stories, you can look around the room with your tablet or smartphone and experience the story firsthand.

FEATURES

- The ARD app "EastWest Eyewitnesses" can be used offline. It can be downloaded and used regardless of network quality.

- It is easy to use and inclusive.

- Eyewitnesses and their biographies are an important component.

- An informational video supplements the personal recollections with facts and places them in their historical context.

- The ARD app is free.

WHAT DOES AUGMENTED REALITY MEAN?

Augmented Reality, abbreviated AR, means "enhanced reality." This technology allows eyewitnesses to be virtually placed in real spaces, as well as three-dimensional animations. Augmented Reality is a blend of the real world and virtual elements. The eyewitnesses are positioned at eye level.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

The app has a total data volume of 1 GB. Please use Wi-Fi for downloading.