The Berlin Wall, which separated East and West Germany for 28 years, fell 35 years ago, reuniting Germans who had been divided for nearly three decades. While many saw this event as a cause for celebration, others viewed it as a tragedy, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, who considers it the “greatest trauma and tragedy in Russian history.” This sentiment reflects a desire for power and control over people, rather than unity. Currently, new walls are being built less than a thousand kilometers east of Berlin, with Poland fortifying its border with Belarus to stop illegal migrants allegedly being used by Belarus and Moscow to destabilize the West, resulting in a humanitarian crisis for refugees and migrants.
This year, the people of Berlin will celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall under the slogan “uphold freedom.” However, there is a growing trend in Europe of countries fortifying their borders, with Germany, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland imposing temporary checks on their land borders due to concerns over immigration. This move has been criticized as undermining freedom of movement within the European Union. Amidst multiple crises, such as migration dominating a summit of European leaders, there is a tendency for people to feel vulnerable and threatened, leading them to close themselves off from the world and focus on what they perceive as theirs.
The Berlin Wall, constructed between 1961 and 1989, was a physical barrier that divided the city between the socialist German Democratic Republic (GDR) and capitalist West Germany. It served as a reminder of the Iron Curtain, symbolizing the divide between the Soviet Union and its satellite states and the West during the Cold War. Over the years, at least 140 people died at the wall under circumstances connected to the GDR. Its fall in 1989 marked the beginning of German reunification and played a key role in the collapse of communism in central and eastern Europe. Today, remnants of the wall still stand and attract visitors from around the world to Berlin.
The sentiment of the Berlin Wall’s fall being both a celebration and a tragedy highlights the complexities surrounding issues of division, power, and control. The rise of new walls in Europe, such as Poland’s border fortifications, underscores the ongoing challenges related to migration and national security. The imposition of border checks by various European countries raises questions about the erosion of freedom of movement within the EU. As the world continues to grapple with various crises, there is a tendency for nations to prioritize their own interests and security, sometimes at the expense of humanitarian concerns and international cooperation.
In reflecting on the fall of the Berlin Wall, it is essential to consider the broader implications for Europe and the world today. The events of 1989 have left a lasting impact on global politics and ideologies, serving as a reminder of the consequences of division and the possibilities of unity. As countries grapple with migration, security, and sovereignty concerns, the importance of upholding freedom, human rights, and international cooperation becomes increasingly crucial. The Berlin Wall’s legacy continues to resonate, reminding us of the need to strive for a world where walls are torn down, and bridges are built between nations and peoples.
