From June to November 2024, Berlin celebrates the fall of the Wall with a festivity on 8th and 9th November 2024. 35 years ago, the Berlin Wall was brought down and shortly afterwards an entire political system. The fall of the Wall was a high point of the Peaceful Revolution in the GDR – and the courage of the people to stand up against the SED dictatorship and the boundless joy at the opening of the Wall went down in the history books. Berlin celebrates this anniversary every five years and the festivities in two months’ time will once again be one of the key commemorative moments in 2024.
Image above: Visualisation from the presentation, © Kulturprojekte Berlin
The values of the Peaceful Revolution, above all freedom and democracy, play a very special role this year on the 35th anniversary. After all, the demands made by courageous people on banners and signs when the SED dictatorship was overthrown are increasingly topical and relevant today. The protection of our freedom and democracy seems more important today than ever.
Workshops and activities throughout Berlin
From June to November, people will be called upon to come together in workshops, activities and discussions and, under the motto “Uphold freedom”, to examine the significance of the values of 1989/90 for our society today. The results of these debates will be painted, sprayed and glued onto signs and posters. The participants range from employees of large and small, public and private companies and institutions to children and senior citizens and take place in memorials and cultural institutions as well as in schools, sports clubs or at large open-air events. Interested companies, organizations and others are invited to offer their own workshops with the support of Kulturprojekte Berlin.
Kilometre-long installation along the former course of the Wall
For the celebrations on November 8/9, historical banners and an accompanying exhibition on the events of 1989/90 will be brought together with all the thousands of contemporary voices to create an impressive installation that invites visitors to explore, walk, reflect and celebrate. A diverse supporting program complements this unique installation, which follows the former inner-city course of the Wall over several kilometers.
All the signs submitted (in good time) will also be presented in a book to create a permanent record of the diverse voices. They will be supplemented by contributions from contemporary witnesses of the Peaceful Revolution as well as other experts and celebrities.
The book will be distributed free of charge during November 8/9.
WHEN?
Workshops and activities: from June to November 2024
Festivity: Friday, 08. November and Saturday, 09. November 2024
WHERE?
Workshops and activities: throughout whole Berlin
Festivity: on the former course of the Wall in Berlin
COSTS?
Free
More information on: www.kulturprojekte.berlin/projekte/35-jahre-mauerfall/
