BERLIN (AP) – Tens of thousands of people in Germany's capital celebrated the fall of the Berlin Wall 35 years ago in an open-air setting Saturday to commemorate one of the country's most historic days, Nov. 9, 1989. It hosted concerts, art installations, and official events. .
Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it 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 bridge carved out a 156.4-kilometre (97.2-mile) strip of road that cuts through the center of Berlin, the surrounding countryside, and the hearts of many people. But when borders were opened 35 years ago, it took less than a year for national reunification on October 3, 1990.
Today, only a small portion of the city wall remains, primarily 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 The castle stands along 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of the former Wall in downtown Berlin.
People light candles at the Berlin Wall Memorial after a ceremony marking the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. November 9, 2024, Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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.
