Vandalism at the East Side Gallery: Women damage the wall of the wall!

Vandalism at the East Side Gallery: Women damage the wall of the wall!

Mühlenstraße, 10243 Berlin, Deutschland - On June 21, 2025, an incident occurred at East Side Gallery, one of the most famous open -air galleries in Berlin. Two women aged 34 and 38 and a 45-year-old man damaged a wall picture on Mühlenstrasse around 2:45 p.m. The women held a banner and painted an editorial lettering with reference to the Middle East conflict on the monument, while the man filmed the action with his cell phone. The lettering was applied at a point where the iconic motif of the "brother kiss" is shown. The police then arrested the women and brought them to custody for identification measures, from which they were released after completing the measures. The police protection of the Berlin State Criminal Police Office has taken over the investigation to further clarify the incident.

The East Side Gallery is considered a permanent exhibition at the longest preserved section of the Berlin Wall. It extends over 1,316 meters and comprises 105 wall paintings that were created in 1990 by 118 artists from 21 countries. These pictures comment on the political changes from 1989/90 and show hopes for a better future. The gallery attracts over three million visitors every year and has the official status of a monument. It symbolizes the division of the city and stands for the desire for peace and freedom.

a historical monument with many facets

The East Side Gallery, which is located north of the Oberbaumbrücke in the Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain district, is a place to be historic. Originally, the Berlin Wall should not only stop, but also be sent around the world as an exhibition. However, this plan was not implemented. The murals can be found on the former east side of the wall and have established themselves as an important tourist attraction. But the paintings are no longer in their original condition. Two thirds are badly damaged by erosion, graffiti and vandalism and a non -profit organization has restored a third of the works since 2000. A comprehensive restoration process was planned for 2008, but only began in 2009.

At the same time, the East Side Gallery was repeatedly involved in urban development measures. In 2006, a 40 -meter -long section was moved to make it easier to access the Spree, and in 2013 there was almost a 23 -meter -long section, which resulted in massive protests. As a result, the demolition was stopped and the wall remains a strong symbolic place.

The future of the East Side Gallery

The Berlin Wall community foundation has taken over the order for structural maintenance and the preservation of the historical location. The state of Berlin has been responsible for the care of the East Side Gallery since November 2018. Future measures for maintaining and restoration are to be supported, among other things, by means of the “Wall Fund”. In addition, plans are in the works of developing a parking area between the Spree and the Wall, which integrates the East Side Gallery as a "artistically transformed wall monument". These steps are intended to ensure that the gallery will continue to be a place of commemoration and cultural education in the future.