Tens of thousands of people gathered in Germany's capital to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. The historic day was celebrated with open-air concerts, art installations, and official events.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed gratitude for the fortunate day, which marked the end of the 28-year presence of the Berlin Wall, a symbol of the Cold War division between East and West.
The Berlin Wall, erected in 1961 by communists to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West, stood as a physical and ideological barrier. However, its fall in 1989 led to the reunification of Germany on October 3, 1990.
Today, only a few remnants of the wall remain, serving as a reminder of the country's tumultuous past. To mark the anniversary, a temporary wall of 5,000 posters was created, symbolizing the theme 'We uphold freedom.' These posters, designed by children and adults, highlight the demands of East German protesters for freedom of expression, press, and travel.
Event organizers also arranged for a musical tribute with 700 musicians playing along the former wall's path. Songs like 'Heroes' by David Bowie and 'Freiheit' by German rockstar Marius Müller-Westernhagen were performed, emphasizing the importance of freedom and unity.
The celebrations culminated with a performance by the Russian dissident band 'Pussy Riot,' underscoring the ongoing fight for freedom and democracy in today's world.
