Fall of the Berlin Wall

Arguably the most important moment in 20th-century European history since the 2nd World War was when Eastern European countries broke free from communism and Soviet control in 1989/90, the key point being the Fall of the Berlin Wall.

Whilst most European cities are defined by a history reaching back many centuries, Berlin, after first rising to importance in the 18th and 19th centuries as the Hohenzollern capital of Prussia then Germany, has been most profoundly shaped by the 20th century. After being the centre of two World Wars, it became the front line in the Cold War. During the ‘Berlin Airlift’ 40 years ago, West Berlin was supplied solely by air for 11 months during the Russian siege with planes landing every 90 seconds.

Kennedy’s speech ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ and Reagan’s later ‘Tear down this wall’ speech were historical key points in the lives of many. The Solidarity movement and a Polish Pope created pressure on the communist system, then failing economies and Gorbachov’s introduction of Glasnost and Perestroika widened the cracks. In 1989 Hungary opened its border with its former partner state, Austria, allowing a flood of refugees into the West. Increasing pressure led to the defining moment of the Berlin Wall’s opening on November 8/9 and the flood of people into the West. The fall of the Wall in 1989 was followed by the reunification of Germany in 1990 and establishment of Berlin as capital of a newly-united Germany.

There are still two distinct halves to the city with ‘East Berlin’ lagging behind ‘West Berlin’ in many ways. A stay here is still evocative of the Cold War as you stroll along ‘Unter den Linden’ to Bebelplatz, Alexanderplatz, the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag or visit the ‘Checkpoint Charlie’ Museum. On 9 November 2009, Berlin is organising a ‘Festival of Freedom’ at the Brandenburg Gate including over 1000 foam tiles (8 feet tall) being toppled. We have now added a departure, Friday November 6th, that includes the anniversary itself!

For those who have travelled in Turkey and the Middle East, many missing artefacts are housed on Berlin’s Museum Island, just a few steps from the hotel, including the Pergamon Altar, Roman Gate from Miletus, Babylon’s Ishtar Gate and the head of Nefertiti. Berlin will also mark the 20th anniversary with exhibitions and events.

Special VJV Event - An Evening at Charlottenburg Palace

An ‘after-hours’ guided tour of the royal Hohenzollern residence and dinner in the Palace Orangery, then a concert by the Berlin Residence Orchestra in the Great Orangery, including works of Mozart, Bach and Handel.