Volker Braun was prominent in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) as a lyrical poet, writer of fiction, and dramatist. Die Kipper (The Dumpers; performed and published, 1972), usually regarded as his first important play, was followed by three further plays concerned with factory life in the GDR, a theme that was officially encouraged at that time. Beginning with Guevara oder Der Sonnenstaat (Guevara; or, The Sun State; performed, 1977; published, 1981) Braun's plays embraced wider themes, including historical ones. One of the principal themes of his writing has been the portrayal of the individualist who rebels against or deviates from society's expectations of him. Braun has described his goal in his early plays as that of promoting a more enthusiastic acceptance of socialism.

One of five brothers, Braun was born in Dresden on 7 May 1939. His father was killed in the war in 1945. Braun took his Abitur (school-leaving examination) in 1957 with...