Reflecting And Celebrating The Fall Of The Berlin Wall

Today, November 9th, 2009, is an emotionally loaded day for Germans. We are marking the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall — actually, the fall of the entire Wall that used to separate East from West Germany for more than 28 years.

Whether we will be one of the millions crowding the streets around the Brandenberg Gate or some of the millions watching at home, there is no doubt that we will be thinking about the Berlin Wall and its impact on our lives.

For me, it will be quite a day of reflection.

I remember the day the Berlin Wall came down very well as I was watching and listening to the news as much as I could that time, in every free minute that I had. I’m a West German and the happiness for my fellow East Germans sunk through my body as they finally climbed the Wall and experienced freedom that night.

It’s hard to recapture that excitement and the sensations, although people are trying. This past weekend has been “A Weekend of Freedom” in the media, with interviews, retrospectives, and footage clips of life with the Berlin Wall and the moment it was torn down. Check Deutsche Welle for special footage online if you missed the original broadcasts.

While all of the commentary is really something, there is also the impact of the images. You can see all kinds of images of the Berlin Wall online, including the famous graffiti on the western side of the Wall. The pictures span the infamous photos from the speeches promising us there would be no Wall to the well-known shots of the Wall being pulled down.

These shots will be reviewed again as the State Orchestra does its performance at the Brandenberg Gate tonight, and they pull down the large dominoes that are being used to symbolize the old cement of the Berlin Wall. There will be a large fireworks show starting as the “Wall” is pulled down, and I imagine that I will not be the only one watching with an emotional heart.

Are you going to be there? I know I am.

—Marcus