RE: Stasi Sports Fest Badges

[Mike G.]

Here are examples of some Stasi Sports Fest Badges which I picked up many years ago in Berlin, that are specific to the Felix Dzierzynski Wachregiment. I've not seen reference to them on the Board before, so they may be of interest.

Ralph has much more information about these, and some additional variants.

[Ralph P]

Hello all…

To follow up with Mike’s post I want to add more badges and additional information about the Soldier Fest badges. If you have any additional information or corrections to what is said please do not hesitate to post your comment.

The soldier fest badge came out during the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:cs:smarttags" /><st1:NumConv6p0 sch="1" val="1960">1960</st1:NumConv6p0> timeframe and over a thirty year period the badge went through minor changes of which by <st1:NumConv6p0 sch="1" val="1990">1990</st1:NumConv6p0> there were three variants to the badge. The badge also came with an award document and two different sizes small and large. The small version is a pin back with the large version hanging around the neck. Finally, the came in bronze, silver and gold.

The guide below explains the difference between the variants. The information is from my collection items, Klaus Feder STASI book and other friends.

Variant <st1:NumConv6p0 sch="1" val="1">1</st1:NumConv6p0>: What to look for with this earlier variant is the closed collar tunic the soldier is wearing and the location of the wording Des MfS. The wording of Des MfS is located underneath the soldier in the lower left hand corner of the badge. The only size I have seen this badge has been a small version. I do not have this variant to show and hope another member can post one.

Variant <st1:NumConv6p0 sch="1" val="2">2</st1:NumConv6p0>: What to look for with this variant is again a closed collar tunic the soldier is wearing and the location of the wording Des MfS. The wording of Des MfS is located to the right of the music instrument on the right corner of the badge. This badge came in two different sizes. The large version of the badge has a neck ribbon of which there is a u shaped metal attached to the top of the badge.

Variant <st1:NumConv6p0 sch="1" val="3">3</st1:NumConv6p0>: What to look for with this variant is an open collar tunic the soldier is wearing and the wording of Des MfS is located as the same as variant <st1:NumConv6p0 sch="1" val="2">2</st1:NumConv6p0>. This badge came in two different sizes. The large version of the badge has a neck ribbon of which there is a hole punched through the top of the badge.

Of the large versions, the back of variant <st1:NumConv6p0 sch="1" val="2">2</st1:NumConv6p0> and <st1:NumConv6p0 sch="1" val="3">3</st1:NumConv6p0> has the same backing.


Mike and I hope you overall enjoy our thread...

[Ralph P]

Variant 2 - large badge - Gold.

Variant 2 - large badge - Gold.

[Ralph P]

Variant 2 - large badge - Silver.

Variant 2 - large badge - Silver.

[Ralph P]

Variant 2 - large badge - Bronze.

Variant 2 - large badge - Bronze.

[Ralph P]

Variant 2 - Small version - Gold and silver

Variant 2 - Small version - Gold and silver

[Ralph P]

Variant 3 - large badge - Gold

Variant 3 - large badge - Gold

[Ralph P]

Variant 3 - large badge - Silver

Variant 3 - large badge - Silver

[Ralph P]

Variant 3 - large badge - Bronze

Variant 3 - large badge - Bronze

[Ralph P]

Variant 2 and 3 - Large badge...last picture

Variant 2 and 3 - Back of large badge

[AR-11]

Comrades,

sorry, but I am not sure whether they are really sports badges.
"Soldatenfestspiele" means a lot other than sports. The troops performed music, small theater plays, sketches, poems and so on, which were written partly by themselfes. I think sports was not the main thing. "Soldatenfestspiele" we had also in the normal NVA.
And this declared the Lyra in the upper right...And the saying at the backside:
"Art is a weapon"

But I´m not specialist.
If I am wrong, please do not hunt me to devil .

AR-11

[Roy Queen]

This is a very interesting thread! It seems like the NVA and the MfS stressed cultural arts, as well as physical fitness more so than other countries. Was the Dynamo an exclusive MfS branch, or did the NVA also tie into it?

[Ralph P]

Hey Dirk...we won't hunt you down don't worry about that...but your post is exactly the type of background information and discussions we want on the forum...so that all of us can know more of what we own in our collections...

I find your post about the badges of interest especially the part on small theater plays, sketches, and poems...

Dirk...Where you involved with any of the Soldatenfestspiele while in the NVA?

[AR-11]

Hey Dirk...we won't hunt you down don't worry about that...but your post is exactly the type of background information and discussions we want on the forum...so that all of us can know more of what we own in our collections...

I find your post about the badges of interest especially the part on small theater plays, sketches, and poems...

Dirk...Where you involved with any of the Soldatenfestspiele while in the NVA?

No Ralph, not really.
My crews took place at the reginements-"festival" but they had not great interests on this. Once I had an private, he was a great talent in painting. So he offered some of his paintings-it was great.
The AR-11 had an "dance-music-band". They every year won the "Gold" and went to the next higher Festival by MSD.
While the soldiers the culture indulged, I had to take care of my ammunition...
Culture was most the job of the Polit-"Commissars"...

AR-11

[Ralph P]

Hey Dirk I like what you said..."While the soldiers of culture indulged, I had to take care of my ammunition". it's always that way...put yourself in front of others.

During your time in the NVA did you see any of the Soldatenfestspiele being worn?