I was only 11 years old when the news were all over the press. Despite my early age, I could sense the magnitude of what was happening... To be honest, 1989 is a year I can distinctly remember for an unknown reason. Funny thing....These days, with time and perspective, I get very much moved by the powerful images and the freedom, the courage and the beauty they reveal....
In my opinion, there are too many walls erected in this world, They are not necessarily physical and more often than not, they are clearly unnecesary or useless. That is the reason why I adore the words by Tilda Swinton in "The Invisible Frame"(2009), a feature just 21 years after her "Cycling the Frame" (1988) movie was released. After her special relationship with the wall (it fell just 9 months after the filming mentioned above), Tilda states this beautiful reflection about what has happened: "Open doors, open eyes, open ears, open air, open country, open season, open fields, open hearts, open minds, open locks, open borders, open future, open sky, open arms, open sesame". Beautiful description of a once future and now present time.
"It is a fearful heart that builds a wall. It is a fearless heart that can live without it"
The Berlin Wall fell 25 years ago and thousands of Germans are gathering in the city to commemorate the anniversary. Nowadays, Germans are obviously happy about the end of their physical Iron Curtain. Berlin has seen the upcoming of a cosmopolitan and entrepeneurial scenece. The city boasts universities, museums, entertainment venues, festivals, sporting events, you name it. It is commonly agreed that it has turned into a reference cultural beehive. However, some local people complain about the amount of tourism invading the area, the rocketing house prices and growing filth as a result of that. Probably, a high price to pay but worth it, though.
To see the exact moment when the Berlin Wall fell dow, click here and read all about the end of the absurd separation of a nation.
