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Born on 24th February 1926 in Mittweida |
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Attends secondary school in Mittweida | ||
| 1945 |
Takes part in the ‘Werewolf’ insurgency at the end of World War II (a Nazi plan for a partisan resistance force against the occupying forces as the regime came to an end) | |
| 1947 - 1950 |
Works as a journalist with the Leipziger Volkszeitung newspaper. Works after 1950 as a freelance writer, also writing under the pseudonyms Hans Walldorf, Bernd Diksen and Waldemar Naß. Studies at the Johannes R. Becher Literature Institute in Leipzig in the mid 1950s.
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| 1957 |
Imprisoned due to alleged collaboration for anti-revolutionary activity in connection with discussions about destalinisation and is sentenced to seven and a half years in the Bautzen II prison. Receives a strict writing ban. | |
| 1964 |
Released from prison and resumes work as a writer. Publishes a series of novels and narratives in the German Democratic Republic | |
| 1979 |
Renewed conflict with the GDR government when he joins forces with other authors against censorship. Becomes a victim of Stasi observation and is prevented from travelling to West Germany | |
| 1987 |
Lives in Bonn-Bad Godesberg | |
| 1989 |
Founds the Linden publishing house in Künzelsau with his son and daughter-in-law, which predominantly publishes Loest’s own works. The publishing house has been based in Leipzig since 1989
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| 1990 |
Second home in Leipzig
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| 1994 - 1997 |
Chairman of the Verbandes Deutscher Schriftsteller (Association of German Authors) | |
| 1998 |
Lives in Leipzig. Member of the Academy of the Arts in Sachsen |
