So maybe the most defining moment of the Berlin Wall coming down 20 years ago was not the famous quote by US President Ronald Reagan, according to the Berliners, but is a historical moment for the US.
Either way, Monday, November 9th, 2009 marked the 20th anniversary of the day the Berlin Wall was torn down and the city of Berlin had a huge celebration, and I was right in the middle of it. The festivities started around 5pm, officially, and went on till after 11pm when I left. At the Brandenburg Gate there was a huge concert stage and major diplomats gave speeches throughout the night, Hilary Clinton gave a shout out for the States and President Obama made a speech via "live" video stream. Bon Jovi performed a quick number as well as U2.
The biggest attraction/celebration, and the one I found to be most powerful, were the dominos. Spanning from Postdamer Platz and the Brandenburg Gate were one thousand 8-10 ft blocks set up like dominos (Pictured Above). Each block was painted by a specific artist from all over the world and was an original design of the artist. Sometime around 9pm the first block was knocked over and down the line they came, each one falling one-by-one. It gives me chills to even think of it.
The blocks and the actions of the ceremony I can explain, but the atmosphere, which gave me the chills, can not be explained in words. First, to me, and some of my fellow classmates, Berlin seems like a much darker, dreary city compared to the states. It is not common to just start chit-chatting with someone on the street, like it is in the US, so the city just seems kind of gloomy to us. So to go to this event and to see the joy in the face of all the Berliners and not just joy, but specifically pride. Pride shown in screams, in tears, and hugs and kisses. The people of Berlin are the ones who tore down that wall, they were the most influential and it was their actions that brought down that wall, and that is something to be proud of.
For a moment, getting caught up in the excitement of watching this wall "fall down" all over again, it seemed like a felt a small glimmer of what it must have been like to see the original wall fall. It was an amazing thing to be apart of and is by far the best thing I have been apart of during my time in Europe, I wouldn't trade the opportunity for anything. No matter how cold it was or how much it rained that night, the spirit of the Berliners was a live and well and the adrenaline that pumped through your veins was enough to keep you warm in the coldest of weather. I wish you could have all been there to experience it for my words do it no justice. I strongly feel it is worth the trip on the 30th, 40th, and/or definitely the 50th year anniversary.
During my time here in Berlin I have learned so much about Germany's history, specially Berlin itself, more than any school book has taught me in school. Growing up we learn about the Nazi Regime and WWII and a little about the Berlin Wall. But there is so much we do not learn about the city and every new thing I learn about the city makes me fall a little more in love with it. Their history is so rich and their past is so dominate in the architecture and culture. I'm just happy to be apart of all of it.
But that is it for now, I am trying to post a video that I took of the "wall" tumbling by, I think it is exciting to just hear the crowds reaction as it approaches. I will post pictures also, but the video can be found on my Facebook page if I can't find alternative methods!
Only 13 days until I'm back on US soil, it's going to go by fast! So long for now!
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