On Thursday, November 5th, I attended a workshop called “20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall”. It is very different than the other workshops I attended. I think it is very formal and it also serves some cookies and drinks. After I ate some, the presenters began to talk about this workshop. November 9, 2009 is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
This workshop covered many different departments, including professors from history, political science, and English. They showed us a documentary film about people living and working in Berlin explain how the fall of the Berlin Wall shapes their lives. The film is short, only about twenty minutes. But I was impressed by it. Through the film, I have learned that the Berlin Wall was built in 1961, which divided East Germany and West Germany. Because of this border, the large numbers of East Germans could no longer travel or emigrate to West Germany. Many families were split. In 1989, before the fall of the Berlin Wall, thousands of East Germans were excited to cross the border. After the fall of Berlin Wall, East Germany and West Germany were able to unit. After that, the presenters let us know the history by sharing their experiences in Germany. Also, a gentleman shared his experience about his early life in Germany. He said he remembered the day when the wall was built and how he escaped to America. Till today, thousands of people celebrate it because it symbolizes the freedom in Germany.
This workshop ended a little bit late, but most people stayed to the end. I think it is a good workshop that we can learn the history of the Berlin Wall. The fall of the Berlin Fall is pretty cool as I see from the film.