The Berlin Wall
Today remarks the 25 years Fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989. The wall was separated West Berlin from East Germany and East Berlin in 1961. It was partly as the consequences of the separation of Germany after the World War Two and following to the Cold War that divided the country into the non Soviet and the pro Soviet. There was no freedom movements for the citizens, especially those who lived on the pro Soviet part.
Peter Fechter was the first victim of the Berlin Wall’s border guards when he tried to cross from the pro Soviet (East Germany) to the non Soviet (West Germany). He was shot when he was still on the wall, sadly he fell on the East part. He was bleeding for one hour next on the border without any medical assistance and finally died. Tragically, this event was watched by people from the East and the West but no one was able to help him – fear, powerless and perhaps suspicious thoughts to what the other side might do.
After this incident, at least 171 people were killed when trying to escape from the East Germany to the West Germany. But there were also success stories of more than 5000 East Germans managed to cross the border to reach the west. No one would enjoy living in closed border and political mind.
During my visit to the what remains of the Berlin Wall, I also passed by the Holocaust Memorial to remember the World War Two genocide. It was designed byΒ architect Peter Eisenman. The memorial consists of 2711 concrete blocks, smart design and beautifully scattered on an open plaza. The memorial has raised many critics and controversies. One of them as I read from TravCult, that the blocks were protected byΒ anti-graffiti chemical coating until a newspaper in Switzerland in 2003 reported aΒ subsidiary company of the anti-graffiti chemical company was the producer of the gas that used to poison people in the Nazi gas chambers.
Γ was glad to be able to visit these important memorials during my short visit in Berlin. They reminded us that barriers would not facilitate justice, peace nor even promoting welfare, and may these tragedies would not be repeated.
I remember the wall coming down. I was at a weekend meditation retreat and it was a beautiful experience. Hugs, Barbara
That’s amazing experience to witness the fall directly! You were so lucky! Thank you so much for the re-blog Barbara π Hugs & have a great weekend..
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Such a great text Indah! When I was in Berlin, also for a short time, I saw some parts of the wall and observed how what used to be the west part of the wall is different than the east part. This date is a very important one for the Germans!
Thank you Allane π The wall carried dark periods in German, hopefully it won’t be repeat again in any other places in the world π
Oh no, I hope it wont… it was indeed a very sad period for the Germans π¦
Indeed π¦
Such an informative post… I really enjoyed the reading… Very well done, Indah.
Love, Aquileana π
Thank you so much dear Aquileana. Hugs and best wishes π
Nice. I’ve been to Berlin too, a couple of years ago. Even the street names sent a shudder down my spine. Alexanderplatz, Wlihelmstrasse… Such folly! But there is a street name I like: Hannah Arendt strasse! π
Take care my friend! π
π indeed, those names sounds very strong! Thanks so much Brian and have a great weekend!
those amazing clouds really make that picture!
Thank you so much! π Have a great weekend!!
I remember watching this on the news as it was happening. It was awesome to say the least!
Yes, I do hope this history will not be repeated anywhere else π
the last picture is too good π
Thank you so much Joshi!