35 Years Since the Fall of the Berlin Wall: A Reflection on Freedom and Memory
On this day, 35 years ago, a pivotal moment in history unfolded. Günter Schabowski, then a member of the SED Politburo, sat at the International Press Center of East Germany, inadvertently setting in motion the events that would lead to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Responding to an Italian journalist about new travel regulations for East Germans, he declared, "This takes effect, to my knowledge, immediately, without delay." Moments later, thousands gathered at the wall, and within a short time, the barrier that had divided a city, and symbolized a divided world, began to fall.
Celebrations in Berlin this Saturday remember the momentous occasion. At the central memorial event, Berlin's governing mayor, Kai Wegner of the CDU, emphasized the enduring value of freedom, stating, "Uphold freedom, for without freedom, everything else is nothing." He stressed that freedom and democracy are not guarantees and are under threat from various fronts.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also marked the occasion, highlighting the motto of the celebrations: "Uphold Freedom." The events include a grand Concert for Freedom featuring 700 musicians, aiming to capture the spirit of optimism and solidarity that characterized 1989.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz reflected on the significance of the Berlin Wall's fall as a key moment in a broader pan-European development, recalling the freedom movements that preceded it. "The victory of freedom in autumn 1989 was a pan-European victory," he noted, echoing a sentiment of gratitude for the day that resonates with Germans to this day.
November 9 is a day steeped in both positive and negative historical resonance for Germany. It marks significant events such as the proclamation of the first German Republic in 1918, the failed Hitler Putsch in 1923, and the tragic Night of Broken Glass in 1938. Today, however, the focus remains on the empowering and transformative events of 1989.
Mayor Wegner calls for a remembrance of the remarkable moments when citizens, driven by hope and resilience, pushed aside the wall. He expressed a desire for a resurgence of that spirit, which was marked by optimism and solidarity.
Along the former route of the wall, Berlin has installed symbolic signs and posters reminding the public of the protests that led to its fall. Basil Kerski, director of the European Solidarity Center in Gdansk, poignantly described November 9 as a date holding both bright and dark significance.
This year's commemoration also acknowledges the current geopolitical strife, particularly the ongoing war in Ukraine. During the ceremonies, participants honored the victims of the wall, including relatives of those who lost their lives attempting to cross the border. At least 140 individuals were killed from 1961 to 1989, many of them at the hands of East German border soldiers.
Axel Klausmeier, director of the Berlin Wall Foundation, articulated the enduring relevance of the longings for freedom from 1989 in light of today's challenges. He reminded attendees that defending the values achieved in 1989 is a responsibility that echoes in the struggle for democracy and human rights worldwide. He also solemnly reflected on the painful memory of the 1938 pogrom night while asserting that the current climate of fear faced by Jewish citizens in Germany is unacceptable.
As the world recalls the fall of the Berlin Wall, it stands as a testament to human resilience and a call to action to uphold the ideals of freedom and solidarity, not only in remembrance of the past but as a framework for the future.
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