were religious or simply did not want to. Opinions differ as to whether or not it was a disadvantage to refuse to join the organisation. Some people claim that they were shut out of organised events, but others say that they were allowed to take part in anything which interested them. In any case, at least one year's membership of the Young Pioneers was required to be allowed to join the Thälmann pioneers, and membership in the Thälmann pioneers was necessary to join the FDJ. Some people who did not join the FDJ later found it hard to follow the university course of their choice, or to travel as freely as others. Registration as a member took place on 13 December, the day the organisation was founded in 1948; usually those joining the Young Pioneers were aged 6 and those joining the Thälmann pioneers aged 10. Songs The Pioneer songs were sung at any opportunity, including the following titles: Kampflied der Thälmann-Pioniere - Battle song of the Thälmann pioneers Wir tragen die Blaue Fahne – We carry the blue flag Unser kleiner Trompeter – Our little trumpeter Thälmann-Lied – Thälmann song Pioniermarsch – Pioneers' March Der Volkspolizist – The People's Policeman Jetzt bin ich Junger Pionier – Now I am a Young Pioneer Unsere Heimat – Our Heimat Die Heimat hat sich schön gemacht – Our Homeland has smartened itself up Auf zum Sozialismus – Onwards to Socialism Kleine weiße Friedenstaube – Little White Dove of Peace Lied der jungen Naturforscher – Song of the Young Nature Researchers Wenn Mutti früh zur Arbeit geht – When Mother Goes to Work in the Morning Gute Freunde – Good Friends Hab'n Se nicht noch Altpapier – Got Any Waste Paper? Pioniere voran! – Onwards, Pioneers! Laßt Euch grüßen, Pioniere – Greetings, Pioneers Immer lebe die Sonne – May There Always Be Sunshine Friede auf unserer Erde – Peace on our Earth Activities The pioneers took part in a range of activities including sports, ceremonies and performances, meetings and waste collection for different causes. In their uniforms, and with their children's enthusiasm, they were an attractive accompaniment to GDR anniversaries and festivals. In 1966, for example, a delegation of children from the Pioneers and the FDJ symbolically handed over a bunch of red carnations in honour of the SED's 20th anniversary. Apart from presenting a youthful, positive face of socialism to the outside