22.10.2007 - German Unification Day
On October 3rd, the German Unification Day, I wanted to do something special in order to feel the spirit of the reunification because if that’s possible anywhere then surely here in Berlin, the former front-line city of the Cold War. That doesn’t mean attending the official ceremony of the government - cycling along the former boarder serves the same purpose.
A well-known manufacturer of soft-drinks hosted a gigantic concert which recalled memories of the FIFA World Cup 2006 with regard to the number of participants, emotions of the audience and venue. I just couldn’t miss out on that although the official title of the event didn’t have to do much with my actual intention. So I stood with my back in the evening sun and facing the Brandenburg Gate close to the spot where Ronald Reagan once told Mikhail Gorbachev to "open this gate“ and "tear down this wall“ and listened to songs called ”Wer von Euch“, “Geile Zeit“; “36 Grad“, “Wir trafen uns in einem Garten“; “Meer sein“, “Unendlich“; “’54, ’74, ’90, 2010“, “Ich, Roque!“; “MfG – Mit freundlichen Grüßen“ and “Troy“. There were no speeches held but some remarkable announcements like “Wir widmen dieses Lied […] Beatplanet, die wir ohne die Deutsche Einheit nicht kennengelernt hätten!“ (”This next song is dedicated to […] Beatplanet that we wouldn’t have met without the German unification!“)
And for everybody who knows only little history it’s plain to see that is by far not the only achievement of the reunification because in the historical context the German unification is quite consequential but not a matter of course. If things had turned out differently in the autumn of 1989, you wouldn’t have to wonder nowadays whether you’re in “East-“ or ”West“-Berlin – large signs with clearly readable letters would give you a hint.
Once in a while one should think about that …
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