About
Wolf Biermann is a German singer-songwriter, poet, and former East German dissident. He is widely recognized for his politically charged lyrics and his critical stance against the East German regime. Biermann is perhaps best known for his 1968 song "Ermutigung" and his expatriation from East Germany in 1976, which was a significant event in the country's cultural history.
Career Timeline
Begins Songwriting
Wolf begins writing and performing politically charged songs in East Germany.
Performance Ban
The East German government bans Wolf from performing publicly.
"Ermutigung" Release
Wolf releases "Ermutigung", a song that becomes a symbol of resistance in East Germany.
Citizenship Revoked
While on tour in West Germany, Wolf is stripped of his East German citizenship.
West German Career
Wolf continues his career as a singer-songwriter in West Germany.
Reunification Performances
Wolf performs in East Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall, becoming a symbol of reunification.
German Dissident Legacy
Wolf is remembered as a prominent East German dissident and singer-songwriter.
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Last updated: February 21, 2026