Picture - A Moscow Plattenbau - by Nigel A JAMES
The
Red Star of the Reds – The Plattenbaus
The
statues of Lenin and Stalin may have gone from the face of the old
Soviet block, but there is still one
reminder that
takes us straight back to the heart of the Communist era. The
plattenbaus. And, there, they still proudly stand in
the old eastern block.
Built
as of the 1950s, these enormous blocks
of flats built of huge concrete slabs
were designed
to counter
the homelessness
caused by the war. And, they were, to a certain
extent, successful. Each apartment
came with its own WC, bathroom, simple kitchen, hot and cold running
water and heating. But, despite these advantages, the plattenbaus
were not very popular.
With
their grim characterless oneness, they offered very
little privacy. The walls were so thin that everyone was able to hear
what everyone else was saying and doing. And, on fine summer days,
with windows wide open, everyone knew what everyone else was having
for lunch. The
smell of cabbage cooking carries a very long way! But,
there was something else, too.
The
plattenbaus were all part of a big social plan. Points were needed in
order to get an apartment, and the biggest scorers were children.
Meaning, the more children one had, the better one's chances. And, of
course, with children came life!
And
life needed supporting. And, plattenbau estates were the ideal places
for small businesses and services. There were, and still are, in and
amongst the plattenbaus, many small shops such as hairdressers, small
grocery stores and of course always friendly bars. And, each estate
was provided with a kindergarten, playground and school.
And,
of course, there are similar constructions in the rest of Europe,
too. Apartment blocks built out of concrete slabs are not unusual.
But, wherever you go in the “west”, you will never find
anything like the plattenbaus of the old “former east”. The
character of these buildings is their style, and style is a thing
that's unique. And, when it comes to comfort, the plattenbaus have
just as much chance as everything else. In your own four walls you
can do what you like. Nice living is only good taste!
And,
life in the plattenbaus is the same as every where else. There are
good people and bad people, and of course the ups and downs of every
day life. Its all human nature. And, the future?
With
generous help from the European Union, the plattenbaus are being
brought up to date with insulation and new coats of paint.
These once grim estates are now looking better than ever and have
become places that are nice to go home to!
And
so, what started as a solution has now become a goal in itself. Many
young people are now finding their first homes in these flats, and,
for the elderly, they are perfect. A good home is important and a
plattenbau can be just as good as anything else! And, sometimes,
even much better!
The
Red Star of then is still shining brightly, and, is set to continue
for ever!
Vocabulary
certain extent – gewissermaßen
concrete slabs - Betonplatten
counter (to counter/countered/countered)
- entgegnen
eastern block – Ostblock
enormous -
riesig
estate – Siedlung
grim – grimmig
u. trostlos
homelessness – Obdachlosigkeit
huge – riesig
insulation – Isolierung
once - einmal
oneness – Geschlossenheit
plattenbau - Wohnhaus
aus Betonplatten
reminder – Erinnerung
squabbling – Gezänk
undergoing (to
undergo/underwent/undergone) - unterziehen
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