1 Topic by RickB (edited by RickB 2014-11-10 10:21:31)

  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
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  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Topic: Wall Fall

There was a huge commemoration of the 25th anniversary fall of the wall in Berlin Sunday. Here's a link to the video production of the entire ceremony all over Berlin that was streamed live to the world. I found the highlight to be the performance of Beethoven's 9th with full chorus at Brandenburg Gate and the Ode to Joy theme was quite fitting. In context it is very moving and features some of the greatest voices alive in the chorale sections with the Berlin Symphony. Check it out at 7:42. There are also a lot of various musical features throughout. The path of the wall was illuminated with pedestal lamps throughout Berlin. https://www.youtube.com/embed/z6wli5Jf4vs
I have a personal connection since my son's wife grew up in the East sector and her family lived through the privations of that time. They prepare and serve a thin potato soup for lunch and dinner on the anniversary to remind themselves of the times when that was all there was to eat.
Rick

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  • From: Norddeutschland
  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 1,458

Re: Wall Fall

Glad you posted something Rick. I wrote quite a piece about it that I was going to post, but when I got to the end of it I found through my meanderings my whole point of view changed a little.

It has been interesting re-watching the coverage from 25 years ago. The changes have, I think, overall been very positive, although a lot of resentment remains, on both sides. A 'Wessie' working and living in some parts of the old East still find a lot of discrimination, and for 'Ossies' living in the west they have to live with the rather stereotyped view that most westerners seem to have of the old east generally.

Another generation should see it all slowly disappear, when those that lived through it have gone.

Lessons learned? as if we didn't know, but just forgot. Walls divide. Whether bricks and mortar or emotional and psychological. The DDR wanted to restrict freedom to promote and protect a political ideal and way of life and sustain an illusion. The Israelis have a fence to keep an unwanted reality out.

Whatever side you are on there is invariably another reality or truth on the other side that will, one day, somehow, have to be faced.

The DDR could never have realised the long term purpose of the Wall when they built it. How ironic. It serves as a permanent symbol that no matter how long it takes, dividing a people makes no sense. All despots take note....

Are you listening Mr. Kim.....................?

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