Russia’s war against Ukraine marked this Saturday the commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Wall of Berlinan infrastructure that divided the city for almost three decades and that symbolized the division and tensions of the Cold War.
The authorities of Berlin, accompanied by the President of the Republic, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, took part on a cold and autumnal morning with some 300 Berliners in the commemorative events of the fall of that border of the extinct German Democratic Republic (GDR) without forget the current defense of the Ukrainians against Russia.
“The values of the 1989 revolution are those defended on the Ukrainian battlefield,” said Alexander Klausmeier, director of the Berlin Wall Foundation in the memorial space dedicated to that Berlin barrier built in 1961, next to a tower of surveillance preserved to avoid oblivion.
“Putin’s illegal war of aggression kills, causes pain and threatens our values of freedom,” added Klausmeier, before the mayor-governor of the German capital, Kai Wegner, showed his solidarity with kyiv in his speech.
“We have to be on the side of the people who are currently fighting for their freedom and for their survival in Ukraine,” said Wegner under the gaze of Steinmeier, Klausmeier and a large international delegation composed, among others, of opponents of dictatorial regimes such as Cuba, Iran, Belarus, Georgia or China.
“Polish and East German opponents worked together to achieve the same objectives: free elections, freedom, human rights,” Klausmeier recalled, before, in the Chapel of Reconciliation, located in what was the land of Nobody from the wall fortifications, Bogdan Borusewicz, co-founder of Solidarnosc, will speak.
From there, Steinmeier, the rest of the authorities and representatives marched to one of the points of the Berlin Wall Memorial, to place candles, not far away where before entering the chapel they introduced flowers in one of the sections of the physical barrier that separated the city.
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The Berlin Wall, built in the summer of 1961, was conceived by the GDR regime as the most emblematic of the “anti-fascist protection” barriers, according to the terms of the communist regime.
In reality, it was built largely to avoid the demographic drain that the regime was facing, since, despite the support of the Soviet Union, it saw how up to 2.5 million of its citizens fled the country for West Germany between 1949 and 1961. , a loss of human capital that called into question the economic viability of the now defunct German dictatorship.
In total, the infrastructure that divided Berlin amounted to 155 kilometers, of which today only remain standing in some parts of the city, such as the one known as the “East side Gallery” – famous for its numerous and iconic graffiti -, in near the historical museum ‘Topographie des Terrors’ and at the Berlin Wall Memorial, where the German president and the rest of the authorities were summoned this Saturday.
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**Interview with Alexander Klausmeier, Director of the Berlin Wall Foundation**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Alexander. As the director of the Berlin Wall Foundation, can you share with us the significance of commemorating the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, especially in the context of current events like the war in Ukraine?
**Klausmeier:** Thank you for having me. The 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall is a poignant reminder of how people can overcome division and oppression. This year, it holds an even deeper significance as we draw parallels between the struggles faced by those who fought for freedom in 1989 and the ongoing fight for liberty in Ukraine. The values we celebrated back then—democracy, human rights, and freedom—are being passionately defended today in Ukraine against Russian aggression.
**Editor:** It’s powerful to hear those connections. You mentioned in your speech that “Putin’s illegal war of aggression kills, causes pain and threatens our values of freedom.” How do you think this message resonated with the attendees, including various international delegates?
**Klausmeier:** The attendance of international delegates, especially those from nations with their own struggles against oppression, amplifies this message. For many, the fall of the Wall symbolizes hope and resilience against authoritarianism. It’s crucial that we stand in solidarity with those currently fighting for their rights, whether here in Berlin or on the battlefield in Ukraine. The shared experiences of past struggles create a united front against oppression, and we highlighted that during our ceremonies.
**Editor:** You also spoke about the collaboration between Polish and East German dissidents in the past. How do those historical moments inform your perspective on today’s global movements for democracy?
**Klausmeier:** The cooperation between dissidents during the Cold War was crucial for achieving our shared goals of freedom and human rights. It teaches us the importance of solidarity across borders. Today, we see similar alliances forming among people fighting for democracy, whether they are in Ukraine, Belarus, or Iran. The messages of hope and support must flow freely between nations to inspire action and bring about change, just as they did in our past.
**Editor:** That’s a compelling reminder of our shared human experience. In closing, what message would you like to leave with those who could not join the commemoration?
**Klausmeier:** I would like to remind everyone that the fight for freedom is ongoing and requires our collective effort. Whether we are commemorating the past or looking forward to the future, let us continue to advocate for human rights and stand with those who are oppressed. History has shown us that unity is our greatest strength.
