A treasure trove of feminist history awaits us here at FFBIZ Das Feministische Archiv. This archive is not just a collection of documents. It is a testament to the vibrant and evolving story of women’s and queer movements.
FFBIZ is one of Germany’s oldest and most significant archives dedicated to the women’s movement. Its extensive collection documents the history of these movements since 1968. It also covers the social, political and artistic developments that have stemmed from them, reaching into the present day.
Imagine activists gathering here in 1978. They answered a call in the women’s magazine Courage. Their goal? To create a space for research, education, and information. This initiative led to the opening of FFBIZ on February 16, 1980. The opening party was a resounding success. It marked a pivotal moment for the women’s movement in Berlin.
FFBIZ strives to bridge the gap between academic research and community-based women’s centers. It was consciously founded as a self-help project. Since the mid-1990s, the archive work has been the main focus of FFBIZ.
Initially a space exclusively for women, FFBIZ now welcomes people of all genders. Its content embraces queer-feminist perspectives and materials. The FFBIZ team considers it their duty to collect materials on feminisms and women’s movements as broadly as possible. This approach showcases the movements’ dynamism and diversity. It also makes controversies, upheavals, and continuities visible.
Inside, you’ll discover a vast collection. It includes personal papers, photos, posters, and audio-visual materials. There are even demonstration banners. The archive boasts over one million items. These resources are available to anyone interested. Students, researchers, activists, and media professionals all use the archive.
FFBIZ collects documents on all feminist topics, movements, and perspectives. The archive preserves materials that were long deemed unworthy of preservation by traditional institutions. This includes documents and personal papers of women dating back to the late 19th century. Countless FFBIZ members and supporters have gathered women’s movement documents. These documents come from Berlin, Germany, and nearly every part of the world.
The archive makes these materials accessible for public use. It opens feminist perspectives and enables critical engagement. It also reveals contradictions. FFBIZ acknowledges its role as a predominantly white women’s movement. The archive actively addresses this issue. It seeks an intersectional understanding of feminism.
Placards from the 1980s inspire activists planning demonstrations today. Scholars examine photos and documents from the female criminal police of the 1930s. Artists incorporate materials from the women’s health movement into workshops. These modern interpretations find their way back into the FFBIZ archive. They show current perspectives on alternative lifestyles, historical narratives, and political struggles.
Besides collecting and preserving critical voices, FFBIZ is committed to remembrance. They organize events, offer archive tours, and contribute to various platforms. FFBIZ publications disseminate current knowledge and new sources. The FFBIZ team actively participates in networks, working groups, and committees.
The FFBIZ archive has moved locations several times. In 2003, it moved to the Archiv Gr\u00fcnes Ged\u00e4chtnis in Friedrichshain. In April 2024, the archive moved to Wolfener Stra\u00dfe. The reading room is now located in Scharnweberstra\u00dfe.
This feminist archive stands as a living, breathing testament to the power of collective memory. It ensures that knowledge, history, criticism, and ideas beyond the mainstream remain accessible and vibrant.