Berlin to place 8,000 lit balloons along Wall route
Berlin will mark 25 years since the fall of the Wall by placing around 8,000 illuminated balloons along the route of the barrier which divided the city between East and West for 30 years.
Plans for the light installation, called a “Lichtgrenze”, were unveiled by the city’s Senate on Thursday.
The installation will trace the path of the Wall over a stretch of approximately 15 kilometres from November 8th to 9th.
The organizers said: “Hundreds of thousands of Berliners and city visitors will be able to re-encounter strikingly along this stretch the intensity as well as the hugeness of the city division.
“On this day, Berlin will stand once more at the centre of worldwide attention. The anniversary now gives occasion to remember this incisive historical event.”
Organizers described the "Lichtgrenze" as the “high point” of events in Berlin this year marking the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Wall and collapse of Communism.
Berlin’s mayor, Klaus Wowereit, said: “We place ourselves in solidarity with those who have raised their voices for freedom, democracy, and human rights back then as well as now.
“And we take a look at the contemporary world in which Berlin, after 25 years, has become a place of creativity, openness to the future, and internationality.”
The light installation will cost just under €2 million and is being funded by lottery money.
It is based on an idea by designers Christopher Bauder and Marc Bauder.
SEE ALSO: Men fined for wearing East German shirts
Comments
See Also
Plans for the light installation, called a “Lichtgrenze”, were unveiled by the city’s Senate on Thursday.
The installation will trace the path of the Wall over a stretch of approximately 15 kilometres from November 8th to 9th.
The organizers said: “Hundreds of thousands of Berliners and city visitors will be able to re-encounter strikingly along this stretch the intensity as well as the hugeness of the city division.
“On this day, Berlin will stand once more at the centre of worldwide attention. The anniversary now gives occasion to remember this incisive historical event.”
Organizers described the "Lichtgrenze" as the “high point” of events in Berlin this year marking the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Wall and collapse of Communism.
Berlin’s mayor, Klaus Wowereit, said: “We place ourselves in solidarity with those who have raised their voices for freedom, democracy, and human rights back then as well as now.
“And we take a look at the contemporary world in which Berlin, after 25 years, has become a place of creativity, openness to the future, and internationality.”
The light installation will cost just under €2 million and is being funded by lottery money.
It is based on an idea by designers Christopher Bauder and Marc Bauder.
SEE ALSO: Men fined for wearing East German shirts
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.