Conferences

In all four zones in Germany and Austria „children of occupation“ were born after the Second World War: as a result of voluntary sexual encounters between local women and foreign occupation-soldiers, but also as a consequence of rape. Often they were regarded as „children of the enemy“, who were – together with their mothers – frequently discriminated against. After all they had the „wrong“ father. Thus many of them were confronted with racial, ideological and moral prejudice. “Russenkind” (“Russian child”) or “Russenbalg” (“Russian bastard”) were common abusive words up to the 1960’s.

Many of the „children of occupation“ – and their children – have been in search for the father for several decades. This is linked to the wish of exploring one’s own identity and looking for one‘s „personal roots“. Even children who had been born as a consequence of rape have dealt with this vital issue. In some cases, on the other side, former soldiers of occupation have tried to find their children and the mothers in the country where they had been stationed. In the Russian Federation the euphemism „children of liberation“ has emerged in this context. In the case of a „family reunion“, the drama, emotions and joy can hardly be exceeded.