25 Years after the Fall of the Berlin Wall
From 7 to 9 November Berlin got together to celebrate the fall of the wall separating the city into two halves for almost three decades. Since then we have grown close and those of us who are too young to remember often have no idea where exactly the wall was. To recreate the idea of separation the city erected a light installation along the line of where the wall used to be. All in all there were almost 7,000 balloons to remind us of the many tragic stories surrounding the wall but also the peaceful revolution of 1989/90.
Of course I couldn't stay away. So I took my mom and my grandma in both hands and we made our way to the Mauerpark. On a sidenote: the German train driver's union had called its members to what feels like the 12th strike this year during that weekend, making getting around the city a true pain.
But enough of that...look at the pictures:
This is what the balloons looked like in broad daylight. Apparently, all materials used are biodegradable (fun fact). It is certainly hard to grasp that only 25 earlier the street we walked on was part of a huge complex wall system that cost many lives during its existence.
We climbed the hill in the Mauerpark and watched the sky slowly turn to dark blue and finally, black.
The sunset highlighted the Berlin skyline quite nicely. With the 'Lichtgrenze' now lit up, we started walking down Bernauer Straße. The streets were filled with cars that moved at a snail's pace at best. Walking into the sunset was by far the better option.
We eventually reached the Wall Memorial at Nordbahnhof. But there really wasn't a lot to see in the dark. So we vowed to come back another day to explore all it has to offer.
This was one of the few patches where the balloons coincide with remains of the actual wall. The longest part of course is the Eastside Gallery.
From Nordbahnhof we actually managed to catch a train to the Brandenburg Gate (which was akin to a small miracle) which was the centre of a light show of its own.
Rapidly changing colours, every snap with my camera offered a completely new picture. So naturally, I had to take a lot.
The main stage behind the Brandenburg Gate hosted musical acts throughout the weekend, but really was the centre of attention during the celebrations on Sunday. However, I have to tell you a secret. I hate large crowds. And while there were thousands of people out on the streets on Saturday as well, it was still worlds better than it would have been mere 24 hours later.
Screens like this along the installation showed film material from the beginning to the erection of the wall in 1961 to its ultimate fall in 1989.
We slowly made our way from the Brandenburg Gate to the Potsdamer Platz in search of someplace to have dinner.
This picture may best show you just how many people (and cars) were out and about.
I must admit, I was very jealous of the whoever got to see the whole spectacle from up above. That must have been quite a view.
We finally ended our little historic walk, four hours after we began, at Checkpoint Charlie. Agreeing that the installation was a perfect idea and something we won't forget, we nevertheless admitted defeat to our growling stomachs and swelling feet.
Of course I couldn't stay away. So I took my mom and my grandma in both hands and we made our way to the Mauerpark. On a sidenote: the German train driver's union had called its members to what feels like the 12th strike this year during that weekend, making getting around the city a true pain.
But enough of that...look at the pictures:
This is what the balloons looked like in broad daylight. Apparently, all materials used are biodegradable (fun fact). It is certainly hard to grasp that only 25 earlier the street we walked on was part of a huge complex wall system that cost many lives during its existence.
We climbed the hill in the Mauerpark and watched the sky slowly turn to dark blue and finally, black.
The sunset highlighted the Berlin skyline quite nicely. With the 'Lichtgrenze' now lit up, we started walking down Bernauer Straße. The streets were filled with cars that moved at a snail's pace at best. Walking into the sunset was by far the better option.
We eventually reached the Wall Memorial at Nordbahnhof. But there really wasn't a lot to see in the dark. So we vowed to come back another day to explore all it has to offer.
This was one of the few patches where the balloons coincide with remains of the actual wall. The longest part of course is the Eastside Gallery.
From Nordbahnhof we actually managed to catch a train to the Brandenburg Gate (which was akin to a small miracle) which was the centre of a light show of its own.
Rapidly changing colours, every snap with my camera offered a completely new picture. So naturally, I had to take a lot.
The main stage behind the Brandenburg Gate hosted musical acts throughout the weekend, but really was the centre of attention during the celebrations on Sunday. However, I have to tell you a secret. I hate large crowds. And while there were thousands of people out on the streets on Saturday as well, it was still worlds better than it would have been mere 24 hours later.
Screens like this along the installation showed film material from the beginning to the erection of the wall in 1961 to its ultimate fall in 1989.
We slowly made our way from the Brandenburg Gate to the Potsdamer Platz in search of someplace to have dinner.
This picture may best show you just how many people (and cars) were out and about.
I must admit, I was very jealous of the whoever got to see the whole spectacle from up above. That must have been quite a view.
We finally ended our little historic walk, four hours after we began, at Checkpoint Charlie. Agreeing that the installation was a perfect idea and something we won't forget, we nevertheless admitted defeat to our growling stomachs and swelling feet.
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