The German capital hosted outdoor concerts, art installations and official events to commemorate one of the country’s most historic days of the 20th century.
advertisementIn his speech marking the anniversary, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that November 9, 1989 was a “fortunate day for which we Germans are still grateful.”
Built in 1961, the Berlin Wall was at the forefront of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union for 28 years. The bridge was built by the communists to separate East Germans from perceived Western ideological contamination and to stem the flow of people fleeing East Germany.
The road carved a 156.4-kilometre border between the center of Berlin, the surrounding countryside and the hearts of many people. However, when borders were opened 35 years ago, it took less than a year for reunification on October 3, 1990.
Today, only a small portion of the castle wall remains and is mainly used as a tourist attraction.
In preparation for Saturday’s anniversary celebration, event organizers installed 5,000 posters designed by children and adults on temporary walls under the motto “We Defend Freedom,” attracting many foreign tourists. A steady stream of visitors, including It stands along four kilometers of the Old Wall in downtown Berlin.
This poster combines the demands of East German protesters against communist authorities in the fall of 1989, such as freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and freedom of travel, with the wishes of today, including freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and freedom of travel. Created as part of a workshop. art groups and cultural projects.
“Support freedom, because without freedom everything else is nothing,” Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner said at an official commemoration event with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Berlin Wall Memorial. said.
“Freedom and democracy were never taken for granted,” the mayor said, warning that freedom and democracy are currently under attack from multiple directions.
On Saturday night, 700 professional and amateur musicians were expected to perform songs in sync on various stages along the former wall.
Among other songs, they were scheduled to perform David Bowie’s “Heroes” and German rock star Marius Müller-Westernhagen’s “Freiheit,” or Freedom. The lyrics will be projected on the screen, allowing the audience to sing along.
On Sunday, Russian dissident band Pussy Riot will perform as the highlight and conclusion of the commemoration.
