The island West Berlin formed after World War 2 and vanished by the opening of the Berlin Wall in 1989. As part of the 25th anniversary of the fall of the wall, the Stadtmuseum Berlin brings the exhibition West:Berlin – An island in search of its mainland. The exhibition introduces the new spelling West:Berlin to express its independent political view to all visitors whatever their origin: West Berliner, people from Berlin the capital of the GDR, from the FRG, from the GDR, from foreign western countries, from countries belonging to the former Warsaw Pact, or elsewhere. Interestingly, the exhibition is held in the Ephraim Palais, a beautiful exhibition space located in the former eastern part of the city. I had a look.

Ephraim Palais

In 1762, the rich banker and entrepreneur Veitel Heine Ephraim ordered to reconstruct an old pharmacy into the original Ephraim Palais, which was bought by the city of Berlin in 1843. As part of renovation plans in 1935, the Ephraim Palais was demolished to make way for the new city hall district. As the facade of the building was kept in West Berlin, and the construction drawings were left in East Berlin, the palace could not be rebuilt until 1987. In that year the Nicolaiviertel was reconstructed as part of the 750th anniversary of Berlin. After some exchanges with West Berlin, the Ephraim Palais could be rebuilt on its original location in East Berlin. Nowadays it is used for exhibitions by the Berlin Stadtmuseum, such as the current exhibition about West Berlin.

History of West Berlin

In 1945, when World War II ended, Germany was divided into a Russian, American, British and French sector. The four allied forces were supposed to form the democratic republic Germany with capital Berlin. Therefore Berlin held a special status and was divided into four sectors as well. Due to conflicting political interests, the four allied forces did not form a joint administration in Berlin. Instead they each controlled their own sector. Just a few years after the war, Berlin was the center of a new conflict: the Cold War.

In 1949 the three western sectors officially formed the city of West Berlin, a democratic society based on free elections which was closely tied to the FRG. Surrounded by the GDR, a socialistic state, West Berlin became a political enclave. As the infrastructure was cut off by the GDR (except air traffic via Tempelhof), the city was supposed to be as self-supporting as possible. Daily Berlin life went on and people could still travel throughout the entire city, East and West, go to work or visit family.

After some time, the border between East and West Germany was closed. However, because it was still easy to travel from East to West Berlin, many unsatisfied GDR citizens fled their country to West Germany via West Berlin. Between 1949 and 1961 more than 1 million people left the GDR via this escape route, until suddenly, on 13 August 1961, the wall was built by the GDR to prevent its citizens to leave. The border of the cold war became nowhere so/as near as in Berlin, and surrounded by the wall the island West Berlin became an even more unique city.

After fall of the wall in 1989 and the reunification of Germany in 1990, West Berlin lost its special status. Together with East Berlin it formed the city of Berlin, the capital of Germany. The chapter West Berlin has been history for 25 years now.

Life in West Berlin

Being an island enclosed by the socialistic GDR, West Berlin was difficult to reach. Travelling through the GDR by car along the highway was possible, but especially during border controls the GDR was not very cooperative and put up obstacles as much as possible, such as car inspections and other long procedures to increase the waiting time. Berlin was reached via the airports Tempelhof and Tegel as well, and via the Zoologischer Garten railway station, which was the only station left in West Berlin for long distance trains.

Although difficult to reach, West Berlin was an open city. Many opportunities were taken to promote the importance of freedom, especially near the wall, where for example huge loudspeakers, directed to the east, were used to propagate the free word. Dignitary had an obligatory look at the wall during official visits to West Berlin. By living at the front of the cold war, the importance of freedom and democratic rights was clearly felt. A society without these rights was just at the other side of the wall. For this reason critisism was also not easily accepted; it was suggested that you could just leave to the other side if you had complaints.

West Berlin was ruled by the three allied forces, but remained closely tied to the FRG. The West German government strongly supported the city in order to let the small society survive. The economic situation was weak as many industries were gone after World War II. Aided by the friendly economic regulations such as tax advantages there were many jobs in new mechanical and electrical industry. Furthermore scientific institutes were doing well and the fashion industry flourished.

The special status of West Berlin resulted in special regulations as well, such as the exemption from military service, special driving regulations and continuous opening hours for bars. The three allied powers each brought their own cultural values, such as art, music, literature, architecture and fairs. The booming art scene attracted many artists and the alternative scene was large.

Altogether the continuously changing population in West Berlin formed an international, creative and diverse city on a small island.

The exhibition clarifies the history of West Berlin from a political, economic, social and cultural viewpoint. It displays many photos, posters, films and attributes of the West Berlin daily life as well as of many special events.

West:Berlin – An island in search of its mainland

west.berlin
Ephraim Palais Poststrasse 16 10178 Berlin-Mitte
U2 Klosterstrasse S5 S7 S75 Alexanderplatz
Until 28 June 2015
Open Tue Thu Fri Sat Sun 10-18 Wed 12-20
Entrance 7 Euro/5 Euro, booklet included
Combiticket West:Berlin and Märkisches Museum 9 Euro/6 Euro
Under 18 free admission
First wednesday of the month free admission

The post Entering West:Berlin appeared first on berlinspirational.

The post Impressions of Lichtgrenze appeared first on berlinspirational.

When the Berlin Wall was brought down on November 9th 1989, the most iconic part of the iron curtain suddenly opened. An event in the recent history that captivated people around the world. How did that happen? It was probably not David Hasselhoff’s hit single Looking for freedom that convinced the East German politicians to open the wall. Here a short overview of some of the occurrences.

40th anniversary German Democratic Republic

The German Democratic Republic (GDR) was established in 1949 and would celebrate its 40th anniversary in October 1989. A big opportunity for the republic to show the world its harmony and prosperity. In fact, the economic situation in East Germany was bad. Industries were old, shops were empty and without the help of the Soviets its future was hopeless.

Political changes in the surrounding Warsawpact countries such as Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia were not carried out by the East German SED regime. Together with the ongoing suppression by this dictatorial regime, it made more and more people felt hopeless and wanted to leave the state. The only thing that stopped them was a combination of concrete, barbed wires, border guards and the chance of being shot or at least convicted for years of imprisonment for high treason.

West German embassy in Prague

Many people tried to flee to the West via the Czechoslovakian and Hungarian border, these were easier to cross than the border with West Germany and these countries already opened their borders with western countries.

Since the summer of 1989 many people fled into the garden of the West German embassy in Prague, but the Czechoslovakian authorities did not allow their passage to West Germany without the permission of East Germany. Until October 10.000 people had accumulated in the embassy, and something had to be done. As the 40th anniversary of the GDR was approaching, the East German authorities gave in and the refugees were allowed to leave. Again, this made many East Germans to step into their Trabant and drive to Prague. In the days following more then 20.000 GDR citizens traveled via Czechoslovakia into West Germany.

Demonstrations

Meanwhile in East Germany more and more people stood up against the dictatorial regime. They demanded free elections and freedom to travel.
For about 10 years the Nikolai Church in Leipzig was the center of opposition against the GDR regime and organised peaceful gatherings. In 1989 it played a central role in organising weakly demonstrations, which became larger and larger.
The demonstrations overshadowed the 40th anniversary celebrations of th GDR on October 7th. While people were expected to watch the marches and sing about building their country for a better future, a few thousand people demonstrated. Special guest Soviet president Gorbachev, who understood that changes were necessary, did not interfere. A few days later another large demonstration in Leipzig was not stopped by the authorities and the Soviet troops did not interfere as well.
The regime had a wake-up call and understood that changes were necessary for the GDR to survive. Honecker was replaced by the new leader Egon Krenz, but the population did not believe it anymore. Demonstrations became larger than ever before. On November 8th more than 500.000 Berliners demonstrated at the Alexanderplatz.

New travel regulations

At 9 November in the early evening, SED politician Günter Schabowski announces new travel regulations at a press conference attended by the international press, live on television. On a question when these regulations would apply, Günter Schabowski speaks the famous words “sofort und unverzüglich” (immediately and without delay). He was confused. The new travel regulations should officially apply the next day and still visa would be reguired.

Bornholmer Strasse

At 20:00 just after the remarkable announcement, the first East Berliners gathered at the border crossing Bornholmer Strasse in order to cross the border and never come back. Or just to have a curious look into the free western part of the city. Now that they officially were allowed to travel, as heard on television.
As the border guards did not get any official orders, other than the announcement by Schabowski they saw live on television, they refused to let the citizens pass and tried to handle the situation.
In between the crowd became larger and larger. To keep the pressure down a few citizens were allowed to cross the border by getting a stamp on their passport photographs. This meant that they were expatriated would never to be able to get back into the GDR again. But the angry crowd did not stop yelling.

Fall of the Wall

It was just after 23:00 when East German border guard Harald Jäger realised that the situation could not be stopped and he ordered to open the gate. Without official permission. What had been unthinkable for many years did happen: The wall was open. That night more than 20.000 East Berliners crossed the border at Borhnolmer Strasse, excited, amazed, speechless, in tears, and celebrating, welcomed by West Berliners who also could not believe what just happened. The same emotional scenery occured at all other Berlin border crossings. From that moment Berlin was reunited and had a unique party to celebrate. At Brandenburger gate Berliners climbed on the Wall, which from that moment on was nothing more than just a piece of concrete instead of the division of a city for 28 years. Border guards could just watch.
The next day, people in almost every East German village applied for a travel visum. To travel into a new world, and into a new, unknown, and sometimes hard, future.

A peaceful revolution. Soviet leader Gorbachev could have sent some tanks to suppress the riots but he did not. Sadly, many people gave their lives during the 28 years before when they tried to flee just to be free.

The post A peaceful revolution appeared first on berlinspirational.

And at November 9th 1989 the wall was torn down, an impressive and amazing event in recent world history. This sunday it will be 25 years since the the peaceful revolution of East German citizens finally ended in the opening of the Berlin Wall, which was the beginning of the end of the cold war and led to the reunification of Germany.

This 25th anniversary has been celebrated extensively during the past few months and will have its big final during the weekend of 7-9 November. The event will be attended by international guests such as the former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev.

Lichtgrenze

The celebrations start Friday at 17:00 with the opening of the light installation Lichtgrenze along the track of the inner Berlin wall. Along a 15 kilometer course, starting at the Bornholmer Strasse, through the city towards the Oberbaumbrücke, 8000 white illuminating Helium balloons will outline the former inner Berlin wall. This project by the Berlin artists Christopher and Marc Bauder enables visitors to imagine and feel the existence of the wall in a symbolic way. The illuminated balloons bring hope and happiness, and it reminds of the burning candles, which became symbol of the many peaceful demonstrations which finally led to the fall of the wall.

At points along the light installation, the exhibition 100 wall stories 100 times Berlin can be viewed, which tells 100 personal stories of people from the divided city.

On sunday at 19:00 the fall of the wall is celebrated when all the balloons will be released and sent into the sky.

The weekend is closed with the Mut zur Freiheit party at the Brandenburger Gate with Udo Lindenberg, Clueso, Peter Gabriel, Paul Kalkbrenner, and others.

Main Programme 7-9 November

• Lichtgrenze Fri 17:00 – Sun 19:00
• Wall Stories Fri 17:00 – Sun 24:00
• Guided Tours Fri hourly 18-20, Sat hourly 12-20, Sun hourly 12-16. Starting from the Mauerpark, Checkpoint Charlie and East Side Gallery.
• Balloon Release Sunday at 19:00
• Party Brandenburger Gate at Sunday, programme can be found here

An overview of all the photo exhibitions, readings, discussions, walking tours, etcetera, can be found at www.fallofthewall25.com.

The post Berlin celebrates 25th anniversary Fall of the Wall appeared first on berlinspirational.

Town Wall

Berlin is famous for its wall, which was built around West Berlin in 1961 to stop the unsatisfied citizens from fleeing out of the GDR. It was torn down 25 years ago, an historic event which will be celebrated and commemorated intensely in the coming months. However, this was not the only wall in the history of Berlin.
The first Berlin wall was actually built in the 13th century. The city originated from the two settlements: Berlin, which was roughly the area between the Spree, the Littenstrasse at the east side and the Rochstrasse at north side, and Cölln, which was the southern part of the Museum Island. One single town wall surrounded both parts, in order to protect its citizens, instead of keeping them inside. The wall remnants which can be found in the Waisenstrasse date from the 14th century, when the original wall had been rebuilt. Because of the expansion of Berlin and Cölln, the original wall lost its function and most of it was torn down and re-used as building material. The small sections of this wall in the Waisenstrasse survived because they were incoporated into houses which were built against it. Since 1948 these remains have a monumental status.

Zur letzten Instanz

One of the few remaining houses that adjoined the old town wall, is used by the oldest restaurant in Berlin. Restaurant Zur letzten Instanz was established in 1621 and has been located at the same spot for almost 400 years, although the current housing was rebuild in 1963. It is said that Napoleon dined here during one of his European trips. I wonder what the Frenchman thought of the traditional Berlin cuisine. It is a cosy restaurant, still serving traditional Berlin food, and in summer you can eat or have a drink on the quiet and pleasant terrace.

Franziskaner Klosterkirche

When you walk a little bit further along the Waisenstrasse you end up at the ruins of the Franciscan Friary Church. The early-Gothic church and the friary were built in 1250 just after the settlement of Berlin in 1237.
After the Reformation, when the friary was closed, the building was used for several other purposes such as a laboratory. Also, the first printing office of Berlin was located here. From the 16th until the 19th century it housed a famous grammar school at which, among others, Karl Friedrich Schinkel, Otto von Bismarck and Erich Rathenau graduated. The complex survived for a long period, until it was bombed during the Battle of Berlin at the end of the 2nd world war. The friary was demolished and turned into a public garden, the ruins of the church were kept and are gradually being reconstructed. Today, the ruin is used as an exhibition space for sculptures and cultural events.

More information

U2 Klosterstrasse U6 S5 S7 S75 Janowitzbrücke
Zur letzten Instanz, Waisenstrasse 14-16, Berlin-Mitte
www.zurletzteninstanz.com
Franziskaner Klosterkirche, Klosterstrasse 73A, Berlin-Mitte
www.klosterruine-berlin.de

The post Waisenstrasse: The other Berlin wall and more appeared first on berlinspirational.

This picture looks like an ordinary daily scene in a certain city. The pavement and buildings, and details like the gas lantern suggest that it is probably Berlin. The cars reveal that it is somewhere mid 80s. It has been raining, people walk across the street. The grocery is open.
Just a normal street scenery in Berlin somewhere in the 80s. Yes it is, and no, it isn’t. This is the Dresdener Strasse in Kreuzberg, and 10 meter to the left is the Berlin wall. It is part of a huge panorama “Die Mauer” (The Wall) by the artist Yadegar Asisi, in which the artists shows that every day life behind the Berlin wall was normal, although the location and circumstances were not at all.

Panoramas by Asisi

Yadeagar Asisi (*1955 Vienna) grew up in the East German cities Halle and Leipzig. He studied architecture in Dresden and Art in West Berlin. Since 1993 he works on panoramas which resulted in the worlds largest panoramas in old gasometers in Dresden and Leipzig. Currently, panoramas can be seen in Dresden, about the baroque period, and in Leipzig, about the battle of the nations in 1813. Until 2012 the panorama about Pergamon was exposed in Berlin. Since 2012 the panorama Die Mauer is exposed, near Checkpoint Charlie.

Panorama The Wall

Asisi lived in Kreuzberg in the 80s near the wall. He came up with the idea of this panorama when he was asked what living behind the wall was like, to show how people adapt to conditions as a strategy to survive. Helped by old photos, paintings, drawings and memories he worked 4 years to construct a detailed scenery of a normal fictitious autumn day in the 80s. It resulted in a huge panorama of 60 x 15 meter, supported by light effects and audio fragments.
It’s a nice opportunity to feel the existence of the wall within your heart instead of listing solely the facts. To see the small strip that is left of the Sebastianstrasse (-which you may recognise from Marillion’s Kayleigh videoclip-), children playing, people painting gravity on the wall, tourists touching the wall, making selfies, visitors looking over the wall, the todesstreifen between both walls and pigeons sitting on the wall or just flying around. All spotted by guards in a watchtower….

Absolutely worth a visit!

Asisi Panometer Berlin

Friedrichstrasse 205 (Checkpint Charlie) 10117 Berlin
www.asisi.de
September 2012 till at least the end of 2014
Open Daily 10-18
Entrance fee 10 Euro
U6 Kochstrasse

The post Asisi: Daily life behind the wall appeared first on berlinspirational.