Hans Fallada Plaque

In the heart of Berlin, nestled within the Rudolf-Ditzen-Weg, we find the Hans Fallada Plaque. This plaque commemorates the final year of the prolific German writer, Hans Fallada. He lived here in 1947. This very spot is where he penned his powerful final novel, “Jeder stirbt für sich allein” (“Every Man Dies Alone”). The Hans Fallada Plaque stands as a testament to his literary contributions and unwavering spirit. His real name was Rudolf Ditzen. The street where the plaque is located is actually named after him. In his poignant last work, Fallada depicted the courageous resistance of Elise and Otto Hampel. This working-class couple from the Wedding district was executed for their defiance against the Nazi regime. Fallada’s writing often explored the lives of ordinary people grappling with extraordinary circumstances. Some of his other notable works include “Bauern, Bonzen, Bomben” (“Peasants, Bosses and Bombs”), “Kleiner Mann – was nun?” (“Little Man, What Now?”), and “Wer einmal aus dem Blechnapf frisst” (“Who Once Eats Out of the Tin Bowl”). The street where he lived and wrote his final masterpiece was once called Eisenmengerweg. Although initially buried in Pankow III cemetery, Fallada’s ashes were later moved to Carwitz near Feldberg in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The Hans Fallada Plaque was officially unveiled on June 2, 1998, by city councilor Alex Lubawinski. It serves as a poignant reminder of the writer’s enduring legacy and his unwavering commitment to capturing the human experience, even in the darkest of times.