"Ex-Border Patrol Agent's March: A Proactive Stand for Peace"
Stepping Back Through Time: 76-Year-Old Günter Polauke Walks the Green Belt, A Reminder of Germany's Chilly Past
Age is just a number for this tough SOB, as Günter Polauke treks 1400 kilometers along the former border between East and West Germany, his weather-beaten boots echoing the footsteps of those who stood guard during the Cold War. The Green Belt, a strip spanning the system and state border throughout Germany, serves as the backdrop for this old soldier's personal pilgrimage.
Polauke, a former DDR border guard and SED mayor of Berlin, embarked on his trek on June 11, 2025, at the Saxony-Thuringia-Bavaria tri-point, and he's since covered nearly a quarter of the distance to the Baltic Sea coast. Despite the sweltering heat, he maintains a positive attitude, marveling at the transformation of the former death strip into a lush, verdant wonderland.
A Man on a Mission, Polauke aims to come to terms with his past and engage in conversations with fellow travelers along the way. His journey has caught the attention of over 300 Instagram followers and sparked thoughtful commentary from readers of the Berliner Zeitung.
Markus Schilling, a fellow Green Belt explorer, praised Polauke's undertaking as a "peaceful aspect." Having wandered the once-barren, now green border strip from Weferlingen to Lenzen, Schilling has noticed a growing interest in such tours.
Schilling dreams that more people will embark on this "unique pilgrimage," drawing stories, serenity, and solitude amidst Germany's dense population. In his view, this journey exemplifies the transformation of inhumane border installations into a sanctuary for nature and hikers, never forgetting the importance of unity instead of division.
Never Forget, Never Forgive - era echoes in the heart of Beate Reisch, a Berliner who remembers a fateful encounter with Polauke years ago. In 1989, as members of the election commission, they witnessed the blatant falsification of election results for Polauke's district, leaving an indelible mark on both their lives.
In an interview with the Berliner Zeitung, Reisch described Polauke as a "lost, sad figure" that day, bearing the weight of the lies that he was required to uphold. This experience, she believes, demonstrates the emotional toll the SED regime placed on its members, leaving scars that may never fully heal.
"A Rose-Tinted Picture of the DDR?"
While Polauke's journey has earned praise from many, some critics, like Henri Matisse, accuse him of romanticizing the DDR. Matisse, a reader of the Berliner Zeitung, questions why the paper applauds a former SED member's walk along the border strip.
However, others, like Andrea Koch, feel the reporting itself trivializes the experiences of those who lived through the DDR dictatorship. Koch, whose grandmother lived in a border town, recounts horrific tales of families separated by the wall, houses lost due to their proximity to the border, and villages resettled without warning.
Finding Common Ground
Yet, not everyone shares Matisse's skepticism. Manfred, a fellow traveler from Meiningen, reached out to Polauke after reading about his plans. Sharing similar backgrounds and concerns about the world's direction, they agreed to hike together on June 29th, finding camaraderie in their shared history and a quest for understanding the past.
Despite the controversy that surrounds his journey, Polauke persists in marching on, his worn boots leaving an indelible mark on the landscape and the hearts of those he encounters. His walk serves as a poignant reminder of the past, a call for unity, and a testament to the human spirit's enduring will to heal and move forward.
This trek is not just a walk through history for Polauke, as he navigates the Green Belt, he also discusses politics and shares general news with fellow travelers, providing a unique perspective on the changing landscape of Germany.
The journey of Günter Polauke, a former DDR border guard, has led to thought-provoking discussions about the lifestyle and political implications of travel, with many following his progress on Instagram and discussing in publications like the Berliner Zeitung.
