Memory of the victims of the German division: Wall construction anniversary in Berlin

Memory of the victims of the German division: Wall construction anniversary in Berlin

memory of the wall: meaning for today's society

On Tuesday, on the occasion of the 63rd annual day of the wall building, the victims of the GDR border regime are commemorated in Berlin and Brandenburg. At least 140 people lost their lives on the Berlin Wall, and various events are supposed to commemorate this fate. The commemorative celebrations are not only a look back at the past, but also a request for reflection on the effects of this division on today's society.

political and social participation

For the central commemoration at the Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse in Berlin, numerous official representatives are expected. Including the governing mayor Kai Wegner, who will take part in the prayer in the chapel of reconciliation together with the Berlin Reworking Officer Frank Ebert. These ceremonies form an emotional framework in which contemporary witnesses tell their stories and remember the victims of the division.

events in Brandenburg

In Brandenburg, the wall construction is also recognized with a memorial event at the Glienicke Bridge. Here the President of the Landtag Ulrike Liedtke will be present, while Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke will hold a commemorative speech. An interesting fact is that the small town of Osdorf had to be demolished for the construction of the wall, which led to the relocation of around 150 inhabitants.

school processing of history

Another important topic that is related to the commemoration is the mediation of the history of the GDR in schools. Many young people often only have a limited idea of ​​the GDR, since this contemporary history is often not dealt with in detail in the classroom. Educators and refurbishment officer therefore require that the history of the GDR is added more in the curriculum to promote a more comprehensive understanding of this important era.

The wall as decades of dividing line

The construction of the Berlin Wall began on August 13, 1961, when the GDR government tried to stop the mass escape into the West. The 155 -kilometer wall separated Berlin for over 28 years and cost many lives. According to estimates, a total of 260 people died on the inner German border, including many who were shot when attempts to escape from GDR border soldiers.

conclusion: meaning of commemoration

The memorial events in Berlin and Brandenburg on the anniversary of the wall building are a strong sign of remembering and reflection. They illustrate the need to learn the lessons from the past and at the same time present an opportunity to think about the current social challenges that are still shaped by history today.

- Nag