Berlin -- the former capital of the German Empire and Nazi Germany, the symbol of the Cold War as a divided city within a divided country, now the capital of reunified Germany and real powerhouse of the European Union.
Berlin does not hide its dark history, rather it truthfully reveals and admits it to remind future generations of it, and dynamically moves forward to heal and rebuild.
Potsdamer Platz -- a historical plaza that had been a no man's land during the Cold War due to the Berlin Wall that ran through it, now a bustling commercial and entertainment area developed since the reunification of Germany.
East Germany is now history, relegated to souvenirs and museums, as the reenactment of passport stamping at the former wall crossings show.
Brandenburg Gate -- Napoleon 's army passed through it, Nazis marched through it, Soviet army defeated the last holdout of the Wehrmarcht around here, ending the European theatre of the World War II -- and now a proud symbol of reunified Germany.
Nearby, at the center of the city, is the Memorial to Murdered Jews of Europe. The surrounding area is where former Nazi headquarters stood, as well as the underground bunker where Hitler spent his last days. The memorial is like a sombre maze where people can walk through it, allowing personal reflection and contemplation.
Right in front of the Reichstag (the German Parliament building) is the Memorial to Murdered Sinti and Roma People.
Reichstag, the parliament building to the German Empire, burned down by the Nazis during their frenzied drive towards fascism, and destroyed during the WWII bombings, now resurrected and home again to the parliament of the reunified Germany.
A demonstration in opposition to use of cheap labor from Third World countries by German companies.
A glass dome has been placed on top of Reichstag, where visitors can walk around the inside of the dome.
Below the done, the parliament chamber can be seen through the glass ceiling, symbolizing transparency and openness of the German democratic system, and perhaps a show of promise never to repeat acts of aggression again.
Fish sandwich is a welcome sign after so many sausages, which goes well with cold beer or hot wine.
Original posting: Berlin
Original posting: Berlin
No comments:
Post a Comment