Erich Loest (1926–2013) is an important German writer in the history of East and West German literature. From 1950 onwards, he published numerous novels and stories until, in the 1970s, his novel Es geht seinen Gang (It Runs Its Course) was confronted with censorship. In 1981, he left the GDR for West Germany, where he continued his career as a writer. After the fall of the Wall he commented on the political issues surrounding the management of the GDR's cultural heritage.
