Memoria #13: The most extraordinary GDR identity card – featuring autographs from Gorbachev and Genscher

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In memory of Mikhail Gorbachev, † 30 August 2022. – It was 6 September 1994 – that Tuesday turned out to be one of the most memorable days of my life. And this is how it happened: My husband, Wolfgang Zürch, was at that time the press officer at the Thuringian State Parliament in Erfurt. A few days earlier, he had come home from work with the surprising news that he had managed to get us two tickets for a panel discussion with Mikhail Gorbachev and Hans-Dietrich Genscher in Erfurt’s Kaisersaal.

Mikhail Gorbachev was General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) and, through his policies of glasnost and perestroika, brought about far-reaching and fundamental political changes in his country and the communist satellite states; Hans-Dietrich Genscher was Federal Foreign Minister and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1974 to 1992. We were therefore full of anticipation and excitement.

My husband and I arrived in Erfurt on time that day and were eager to see what was in store. The panel discussion centred on the current political issues of the time, though I cannot recall any of them to this day.

The speeches were delivered in German. Political correspondent Gabriele Krone-Schmalz was on stage providing simultaneous interpretation for Mr Gorbachev. She was seated right next to Gorbachev and interpreted continuously and quietly for him. I was able to observe this clearly, as we had a good view from our seats and could see the facial expressions of the people on stage very clearly.

I can’t remember exactly how long the event lasted. It must have been longer, though, as there was a break.

As we were walking around during the break, I had a sudden idea to ask Gorbachev for an autograph. And as luck would have it, shortly afterwards Gorbachev and Genscher – chatting to one another – came towards us. My husband, to whom I’d briefly mentioned my intention earlier, had his reservations: ‘You can’t just interrupt these two politicians whilst they’re talking!’

Nevertheless, I addressed Gorbachev spontaneously in Russian: “Dear Mr Gorbachev, I feel immense gratitude for the political changes you have played a decisive role in shaping, and I hold you in equally high regard. Please therefore allow me to ask you for an autograph.”

A look of surprise crossed his face as he searched his jacket for a pen and a piece of paper. However, his search proved fruitless. He shook his head regretfully: “I’m very sorry, I don’t have a piece of paper or a pen with me …”

I hadn’t expected that – what now? I quickly searched my handbag, but couldn’t find anything suitable. The only thing I found was my blue GDR identity card: it bore the ID number K 0360500 and had since been perforated and invalidated by the Residents’ Registration Office when I received my new West German identity card. I can’t explain why I had that GDR document in my handbag.

Meanwhile, my husband had taken a pen out of his jacket; he almost always carried one in an inside pocket.

When I handed Gorbachev this identity card and the pen – Genscher had been watching us with interest the whole time – Gorbachev took both, smiled and turned to Genscher in Russian, asking: “Is that allowed?”

Genscher understood, smiled and nodded in agreement. On a sudden impulse, I also asked the German Foreign Minister for his autograph.

What followed took only a few seconds – and yet it was the unexpected fulfilment of a dream, with this blue memento of that extraordinary encounter.

First, Gorbachev held my GDR identity card in his left hand, signed the left-hand page with his right hand, and passed the document on to Genscher, who signed beneath the passport photo. The whole affair had taken no more than five minutes.

With a slight bow, I thanked the two politicians. They, in turn, nodded and smiled in farewell and went their separate ways – my husband and I went our own way.

I immediately tucked my newly acquired treasure deep into my handbag so that I wouldn’t lose it.

I followed subsequent developments in Gorbachev’s multi-ethnic state with particular interest and great empathy. I was deeply moved by one of the last interviews with Gorbachev, who was already visibly ravaged by illness. When asked what he would like to see inscribed on his gravestone, he replied after a moment’s thought: “We tried.”

I have kept my blue GDR identity card from 1980 safe and sound to this day – more than 30 years after that legendary event. For me, it is a personal and unique memento of what now seems like an incredible encounter with the politician I consider to be the most significant in the former Soviet Union.

On the fourth anniversary of his death in a few days’ time, on 30 August, my thoughts will be particularly with Mikhail Gorbachev.

Elke Zürch (born 1943), retired senior teacher; studied education in Erfurt, taught in Weimar until 1986, when she was dismissed and barred from working in the GDR. Following the Peaceful Revolution, she joined the teaching service of the Free State of Thuringia, most recently serving as deputy headteacher at a state grammar school. She lives in Weimar.