At a press event today, the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner, Moritz van Dülmen and Simone Leimbach, Managing Director and Head of Department of Kulturprojekte Berlin, together with Marianne Birthler, former Federal Commissioner for the Records of the State Security Service of the former GDR, and Frank Ebert, Commissioner for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship of the State of Berlin, presented the concrete plans for the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Image above: Foto: Oliver Walterscheid
Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin, recalls the significance of this anniversary for the capital: ‘The day the Wall came down, 9 November 1989, was a lucky day for Berlin and for the whole of Germany. Even 35 years later – despite all the challenges, despite all the uncertainty, despite the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine – we still have a reason to celebrate: our freedom, our reunited Germany. Berlin is the ‘City of Freedom’, and 9 November stands for our eventful history like no other day. Even 35 years after the fall of the Wall, we honour the people of the GDR, the citizens’ movement and the courageous men and women who brought down the Wall. Today, when freedom and democracy are once again under attack, it is more important than ever to defend our values and fight for them.’
Kilometre-long installation shows thousands of voices for freedom
A large installation of historical and newly designed signs and banners will be displayed on 8 and 9 November under the motto ‘Hold up freedom!’ along the former inner-city Wall. This links the demands of 1989/90 with people’s wishes and hopes today. The four-kilometre-long open-air presentation is accessible free of charge and invites visitors to explore and reflect. Since June, thousands of people have created posters in workshops and explored topics such as freedom and democracy. This weekend, there will also be a varied programme of talks, concerts, performances, readings and hands-on activities that will enable surprises, encounters and exchange.
All the thousands of posters and their voices will find their place in a large-scale book with numerous essays, interviews, photo series and debates. A large number of copies of the publication will be distributed free of charge to visitors on 9 November.
Large special exhibitions at seven locations
At seven stations along the route – including the Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz and Checkpoint Charlie – topics such as flight, demonstrations and co-determination are brought to life through numerous photos, interviews and reports. The multi-layered events and perspectives of 1989 and 1990 are presented to visitors directly along the former course of the Wall. This open-air exhibition is complemented by other presentations, such as the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation’s exhibition in front of the House of Representatives entitled ‘China is not far away! 35 years of the fall of the Wall – 35 years of Tian’anmen’.
The ‘Band for Freedom’ celebration
On the evening of 9 November, the street will become a stage and the spectators will become singers and musicians. The evening will be a celebration of freedom and unity. Berliners are invited to join a big band and play the ‘soundtrack of 1989’ along the 4 km stretch of road. Hundreds of musicians will come together to create an experience that transcends all boundaries.
Amateur and professional musicians can register until 7 October.
Powerful finale on the Democracy Campus with Pussy Riot
After the Freedom Festival, it’s straight on to the Democracy Festival ‘Revolution! – and then what?’. From 10 November, many of the exhibited posters will be presented on the Democracy Campus. A special moment: Pussy Riot give a concert in front of the former Stasi headquarters and bring the anniversary to a close. Discussions with contemporary witnesses and guided tours will ensure that the campus remains a vibrant place of democracy.
WHEN? + WHERE?
Friday, 08 November – Saturday, 09 November 2024:
Thousands of voices for freedom and democracy:
The installation route runs along a kilometre-long section of the old city wall and invites people to experience, reflect and celebrate. The installation will be open to the public 24 hours a day and free of charge.
Saturday, 09 November 2024:
China is not far away! 35 years of the fall of the Berlin Wall – 35 years of Tian’anmen:
There will be seven themed special exhibitions along the poster installation. These include the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation’s open-air exhibition in front of the House of Representatives ‘China is not far away! 35 years of the fall of the Berlin Wall – 35 years of Tian’anmen’ (Platz des himmlischen Friedens).
Concert for freedom:
The concert will take place in the evening hours along the 4 km long event area between Alexanderufer and Zimmerstraße and will be recorded and broadcast live.
Sunday, 10 November 2024:
Campus for Democracy:
The examination of the fall of the Berlin Wall will continue in the former Stasi headquarters on the Campus for Democracy. A programme of theatre, workshops, guided tours, music, discussions with contemporary witnesses and debates will round off the exhibition. A selection of posters from the outdoor installation will also continue to be on display here. The full programme will follow shortly.
Further information about the programme and the requirements for participating in the Freedom Band can be found at:
https://www.mauerfall35.berlin/
