"Resistant Punk Women in the GDR", in which female musicians, artists, and activists who asserted themselves with attitude, creativity, and resilience in an authoritarian system tell their stories – often accompanied by punk, rock, and subversive culture.
Geralf Pochop
Dance on the Volcano - Resistant Punk Women in the GDRWith a foreword by Nina Hagen
Non-fiction
Hardcover with ribbon392 pages ISBN 978-3-98857-105-232 Euros
"Dictatorships promote all the lowest instincts in humans. Betrayal. Decomposition. Violence. Thank you for telling these – your – stories." Annette Benjamin (Hans-a-Plast)
Geralf Pochop is a punk in the GDR, a contemporary witness, and is involved in youth work and the processing of GDR history. He was imprisoned because of his hair color and has sifted through Stasi files with Campino from Die Toten Hosen.
With this interview collection, he publishes a book that has been overdue for 36 years, as women in the GDR punk scene are underrepresented in the processing of punk history, even though they were existent and visible, equally active, subjected to the same repressions, and offered the same resistance as their male counterparts. This will change with this book. In interviews, diary excerpts, and personal contributions, 23 women – including Kim, Jana, Mita, China, Connie, V1, Anne, Wombel, Inka, NinA, Nancy, Sheela, Tupfer – share their experiences with the GDR regime, bring unspoken truths to light, and provide a deep insight into the underground of the socialist system.
Geralf Pochop on Reading Tour
Author Geralf Pochop is often on the road as a contemporary witness. And of course, he will also present "Dance on the Volcano". Some of the protagonists from the book will usually be guests as well. So you shouldn't miss this:
November 16, 2025 Michendorf OT Wilhelmshorst – multimedia reading "Between Departure and Riot" + contemporary witness discussion in the village church Wilhelmshorst
November 18, 2025 Berlin Youth Resistance Museum (Galiäa Church) – Panel and book presentation "Dance on the Volcano"
November 21, 2025 Torgau – Book release event for "Dance on the Volcano – Resistant Punk Women in the GDR" with many protagonists from the book, musical accompaniment: Annette Benjamin (Hans-A-Plast), Cindy Weihnhold, and Alena + contemporary witness discussions at the memorial site "Closed Youth Workhouse Torgau" (funded by Partnerships for Democracy). Afterwards, party at the Kulturbastion (KAP), featuring live performances by Bärchen and die Milchbubis
November 22, 2025 Chemnitz – Book release event for "Dance on the Volcano. Resistant Punk Women in the GDR" with three former protagonists from Karl-Marx-Stadt (KIM, INKA, KATRIN), musical accompaniment: Annette Benjamin (Hans-A-Plast), Cindy Weihnhold, and Alena + contemporary witness discussions at AJZ Talshock (funded by Weltoffenes Sachsen), followed by a concert with Bärchen and die Milchbubis & Gleichlaufschwankung
November 25, 2025 Hartha – multimedia reading "Underground was Strategy" + contemporary witness discussion + exhibition "From Gray to Color" in the library (funded by Weltoffenes Sachsen)
November 26, 2025 Delitzsch – multimedia reading "Dance on the Volcano. Resistant Punk Women in the GDR" + contemporary witness discussion in the library (funded by Partnerships for Democracy)
November 27, 2025 Dresden – multimedia reading "Underground was Strategy" & "Dance on the Volcano" in the Saxon State Parliament "Project Traces" (funded by the memorial site Closed Youth Workhouse Torgau)
December 2, 2024 Toulouse (France) – multimedia reading "Between Departure and Riot" + film screening "Blood Must Flow – Undercover Among Nazis" + discussion round with filmmaker Peter Ohlendorf and Geralf Pochop at Université Jean Jaurès
December 5, 2025 Halle (Saale) – multimedia reading "Dance on the Volcano. Resistant Punk Women in the GDR" + contemporary witness discussion in the Christus Church (funded by Miteinander e.V.)
December 6, 2025 Kalbe – multimedia reading "Dance on the Volcano. Resistant Punk Women in the GDR" + contemporary witness discussion at the Subordination Office Kalbe (funded by Miteinander e.V.)
December 11, 2025 Spreetal OT Burg – multimedia reading "Underground was Strategy" + contemporary witness discussion + exhibition "From Gray to Color" in the village club "Kleine Spree" Burg e.V. (funded by Weltoffenes Sachsen)
December 20, 2025 Zittau – multimedia reading "Underground was Strategy" + contemporary witness discussion + exhibition "From Gray to Color" at the Bunten Hund (funded by Weltoffenes Sachsen)
December 27, 2025 Halle (Saale) – multimedia reading "Between Departure and Riot" + contemporary witness discussion (funded by Hallianz für Vielfalt), followed by a concert with the GDR punk bands Planlos X, Rosa Beton, and AbRAUM at the Operncafe
