The Festival of Political Songs was founded by the group Oktoberklub and took place in East Berlin every February from 1970–1990 as an official event of the Free German Youth.

The event was first organized by the Berlin division, but from 1975 on was directed by the Central Committee of the Free German Youth.

Prominent artists who have performed at the festival include Mikis Theodorakis, Miriam Makeba, Quilapayún, Inti-Illimani, Silvio Rodríguez, Mercedes Sosa, Gabino Palomares, Canzoniere delle Lame [it], and Pete Seeger accompanied by Chilean-exile and Berkeley based folk group Grupo Raiz.

[1] The mascot of the festival was a red sparrow named Oki (derived from Oktoberklub).

After the collapse of East Germany, the festival lost financial support and infrastructure.