Berlin: "Something there is that doesn't love a wall..." (Robert Frost)

---

One of my earliest political memories is of the construction of the Berlin Wall and the news of people being shot to death who tried to cross over it. So our trip today to the East Side Gallery, to see the artworks on a remaining segment of the Wall, was particularly meaningful.

---

Photos

The Berlin Wall was high but surprisingly thin compared to the medieval city walls we've been seeing.
I NEVER thought I would see the Berlin Wall, never mind be on both sides at once.

Artists of many different styles, from many different countries, have painted their statements on this remnant of the Berlin Wall.
Phil by the Dove of Peace, who is doing some heavy lifting.

The life of the Wall: 1961-1989
Who could have guessed this?

Dancing to Freedom!
Rather like the anti-AFD rally: Dancing Against Hate.

A river of people pouring through the opening in the wall.
Selfie spot? Do these girls identify here?

Theloneous Armadillo, from Texas, plays his strangely enhanced didgeridoo.
Free to be you and me, I guess.

Stepping through the opening in the wall, the side facing the former East Berlin is heavily graffitied.
A place to sign, but not a canvas for more substantial artistic expression. Why?

Looking through the gap, another segment of wall. Were there two walls with no-mans-land in between?
Or was this second section the piece that had been removed to make the gap? And why were people putting padlocks on this gate?

Doves lifting the Brandenburg Gate, where the wall was famously opened.
I love this one.

Time for refreshment after the long hot walk. It still fascinates me that every type of beer has its own style glass.
But no, we really weren't just drinking our way through Germany. Then again, for every purpose, there is a season...

Comments

[michelleandkev]

The Berlin Wall
It's certainly fascinating and sobering to ponder on what happened in Berlin after the war and when the wall was erected. Our daughter Nicola was nannying in the area when the wall came down and although she could speak some German, I sent her the front page of the SMH so she know exactly what was going on. And I don't know how much it's changed since we were there but, at that time, you could really notice the difference between East and West Berlin. M xx