»I want to show the other East with my content«

SZ-Magazin: As a self-proclaimed "East German influencer," you regularly explore East German identity on Instagram, for example by recreating witty GDR recipes like the pear hedgehog or the "Würstchenmax" (sausage max). It all started with a reel called "La Ostdeutsche Vita," which went viral in 2023. What do you think resonated with people about the video? Olivia Schneider: I think it's about recognizing things that define life in East Germany, but aren't as blatant as "The youth in the East rides Simson mopeds." There are many things, sometimes small things, that have a certain charm, from Vita-Cola to kettle goulash. I wanted to capture those.