Saturday – November 9th we met up with our friends. The original plan was to have a “night out in glam” and get dressed in tuxedo and cocktail dresses and sit in the Waldorf Astoria sipping champagne. When we put the date down in our calendars I pointed out, that we could not pick a better day than November 9th – because without that day our friendship would not exist. If you are not as familiar with German history it is a very prominent date.
November 9th, 1938 the Pogrom Night (also known of Night of Broken Glass but I do not use it as it is a term coined by the Nazis) happened where the Nazis systematically destroyed Jews establishments and shops.
November 9th, 1989 the Fall of the Berlin Wall happened after a period of time when people took to the streets in Eastern Germany demonstrating for a better life, politics and free elections. Later known as the Peaceful Revolution.
In the end we did not go out in glam but postponed that night to next year (when tuxedos hopefully fit again and cocktail dresses are shopped for) but we did go out yesterday. My friend suggested a steakhouse downtown Berlin near Brandenburg Gate. I always wanted to go there but we never did. I had a chance to eat there once during an event and it was the best steak I ever had. So reserved a table, our friends parked their kids at home by themselves and we met at 6pm.
Earlier Saturday morning I had learned that there was a huge Festival of Freedom going on due to the 35th anniversary of the Berlin Wall coming down. I was completely oblivious to any happenings this year. I have shared about the 25 year celebration on this blog. But somehow this passed me by.
The whole event was under the theme “Hold Freedom Up High“. An interactive art installation – people could send in images of what freedom and democracy was meaning to them was set up along the former wall. It happened to be just outside the restaurant we met with our friends.
But let’s back up to the dinner. As I said we met up in a steakhouse and really celebrated this night out. I have decided on not taking any photos and just enjoying it. Everyone had a beef tenderloin but me – I opted for lamb. We had a selections of sides ordered from fries and baked potatoes to a selection of vegetable – spinach, asparagus, grilled veggies. Our friends sipped champagne, we had good wine – I drank two glasses and no migraine. My best friends husband always picks the best wines that I can drink – it is such a good skill.
The food was really really good. A bit cold because the sides were not served with the meat which was a bothering me specially at the price point but we had such a good time chatting. We talked about all sort of movies and the husbands quoted phrases back and forth. We discussed what kind of celebrity we would invite to our table – we pretty much agreed that an evening with Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Mat Damon would be hilarious. Luckily my friend pointed out that she would like to have a chat with Reese Witherspoon – at least one woman. We also moved into discussing politics and what we think. I had a rather sharp opinion and was surprised that I a) was able to articulate myself this way and b) had such a clear grasp on the situation.
We had another drink – I opted for a non alcoholic cocktail – and a coffee. the husband enjoyed some cheesecake. I am off sugar this month so I had to opt out from the “death by chocolate” mousse. I bit sad but oh well. After we had finished up and were discussing if we should have another drink I said I would really like to take a walk to the Brandenburg gate (at least – which was only 700 m) and have a look at the art installation. I also knew the big celebration was taking place 8-9pm – which we missed as it was close to 10pm.
We got our coats – it was freezing cold and I only had a flimsy rain coat – read tent. But I can handle the cold much better than heat. I really enjoyed that stroll. I was having some FOMO because I missed all the happenings. But it was still an interesting atmosphere, a fun, uplifting and hopeful aura in the air. They handed out books with more info on the art installation and the whole celebration. I am going to read that later today.
text on signs left to right: l – Freedom is not only being able to do what you want, but above all not having to do what others want. | m – showing the west and the east ample signs | r – democracy needs democrats (Friedrich Ebert)
I did take a couple of images of course so you may get the feel. The entire art installation was placed on a 4 kilometer stretch of the former wall that cut right through the center of Berlin. I think it was a very great way to show people who were not alive or have not been to Berlin at that time where the wall was actually running through and how much the city was divided. I ran from Invalidenstraße/Main Central Station to Checkpoint Charlie.
text on signs left to right: l – go vote for freedom | m – Mr. Gorbatschev open this gate, tear down this wall | r – the secret of freedom is courage
There is an hour long video of the celebration (in German) if you want to get a feel of the festival. Start at minute 8:15 to the music performance where 700 amateur musicians perform over the 4 km long area along the former death strip and which turns into a city wide karaoke.
Once we had strolled back and forth we went to warm up for another drink and chatted some more. I told some personal stories about the time ’88 and ’89 and what I actually remembered and how much I actually comprehended from that time back then.
Close to midnight we called it a night and went home. On our way home I called my mom to tell her thank you for everything she and dad had done leading up to the Fall of the Wall.
I know this post is a bit all over the places as I packed so much into it and all my rambling thoughts. I guess what I really wanted to say is that Friendships and Freedom really came together this night.
Do you have friendships in your life that are only possible of some historic event? Do you do a fancy night out with friends sometimes? Have you ever visited the Brandenburg gate or maybe even seen the Berlin Wall ( I know Tina has)?
24 comments
It can be so easy to take current freedoms for granted and to forget about the price others before us paid. Today is Remembrance Day in Canada and I always reflect on those two thoughts a lot this time of year.
What a lovely post, and what an incredible way to memorialize the wall.
I think it is important to reflect and I love the time of year for it.
I very much liked the way the wall was remembered. But I may prefer the 25 year celebration with the illuminated balloons a bit more
I was in Berlin… it must have been 1990? The wall was still up, but you could just walk right across the border. I have a photo in front of Checkpoint Charlie. Then I was back in Germany in the late 1990s. The wall was gone but there were a lot of references to “used to be East Berlin” etc. I should go back now and see how everything has changed.
Recently I read Ken Follett’s Century Trilogy, which is fiction, but a historically accurate account, of what happened in Europe and the US during the 1900s, starting with the lead up to WW1 and ending with the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was SO GOOD. There were several different storylines, and one was a family living in Germany. So now I’m fascinated by your country all over again.
I didn’t know you have been to Berlin, not only once but twice. You should definitely come back if you have the chance. It would be very much different from what you known. The 90s were a huge construction site in Berlin and just alone from my bedroom window we could see I think about 50 cranes. It was crazy now it looks so much different where the wall used to be.
I haven’t read the century trilogy by Follett because I just can’t read another World War II book but one of these days I will dive into it.
I have had Berlin on my wish list for a long time, but still have not been. Maybe next year I will go, as I will be in Europe. I have read a lot about Kristallnacht but did not realize that it was coined by the Nazis and will now call it Pogrom night. What a horrible day that was. Today is Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the US and I will not be doing anything formally but will be thinking of all of the fallen soldiers!
Yes, many people don’t know that but once I learned, I never try to call it any differently. It’s important that the terms and speech of the oppressor is not used against the victims.
I like this time of year reflect and remember the sacrifice past generations did for us and the way we live
What a lovely way for Berlin to remember its terrifying past while focusing on the future. A lovely art installation.
The installation was really fun. I would’ve loved to walk the whole 4 km unfortunately my company was up to it. And I agree it’s a really fun way to commemorate the past while looking into the future.
What a special night. Thanks for sharing. I have been to many counties in Europe, but not Germany yet (definitely want to go) so I really appreciate seeing and hearing what it’s like there. And I love the title of this post.
Yes, come visit! It’s a beautiful country and Berlin has a special vipe. I love the title too. Thank you for pointing it out.
Thank you for sharing about this very special celebration. So important to remember the past so we can all learn from it.
I definitely agree if we forget the past, we repeat the same mistakes over again. As we can see right now all over the world.
You make it sound like a really sweet night out on the town, thanks for sharing. Berlin is on my wish list of places to visit.
It was a really fun night with good company and I really enjoyed walking around the art wall. You should come to Berlin. It’s such a creative city. I think you would love it.
What a great night you had. It’s incredible to think of the change Berlin has seen since you were a child. I love going out for a special dinner with friends … or family, and you know I have seen the Brandenberg Gate and the Wall. We have put our names in for next year’s Berlin marathon so if we get pulled out we will be heading back.
Oh how exciting Melissa! I will keep my fingers selfishly crossed that you are lucky to get drawn because that would mean we have a chance to meet.
When was the first time you visited Berlin?
I would have loved to have walked through the display. I was in Berlin during the fall of the wall and the years after. My mom came to visit after the birth of my son in 1990 and I took her to what was Checkpoint Charlie and have pictures of her with my two girls. I went back a couple of times with friends in 2000 and 2001. What a difference it was. I was able to walk all around Brandenburg Gate for the first time, and the growth of the “east side” was amazing and beautiful.
I bet it was such an amazing time in Berlin when the wall came down with all its cheer and pioneer spirit. The unknown, but positively unknown. And I can understand the feeling of being able to walk around Brandenburg Gate. Did you know there was a time when they actually opened it for cars/traffic? You could drive through it. My parents always took a detour so we could drive through the Gate because it was so special.
What a lovely post, your time with friends, and your thoughts about the unification of Germany and of Berlin. Fascinating about the building boom that happened after the wall came down, when you said you could see 50 cranes from your window! It must have been dusty and loud and overwhelming.
I like a good steak, but I dislike paying extra for a side dish of vegetables. I don’t know why. Just charge me more and give me a potato. I love rack of lamb, is that what you had? Red wine can give me a headache, but usually if it’s a GOOD red wine I don’t have a problem with it. Interesting huh?
The building boom was really crazy. We had a sport of counting the cranes. It was far enough away so we didn’t hear it. I really don’t like paying for my side dishes either, because you never know what a dish cost, but it was good and we shared so we had options…
I don’t drink red wine at all because it most likely ever gives me a headache but I also don’t enjoy it. Every once in a while, I have a glass of white wine I know not perfect for the lamb, but I didn’t mind. No it wasn’t a wreck of lamp more like a filet type of piece.
This is a lovely tribute, Tobia. I’ve never been to Germany but I’d love to go someday because I’m half-German. Thanks for educating about the difference between Pogrom Night and The Night of the Broken Glass – going forward, I’ll make sure to use the former term.
I didn’t know you were half German. I hope one day you are able to visit. Words are so important and often they are coined by successor, predators and victors but rarely by victims.
What an amazing night – not just a great time with friends, but some history as well. I had not heard about this art installation but I think it’s awesome.
I definitely have a few friends that I wouldn’t know if the wall hadn’t come down. I’ve been to Berlin, to the Brandenburger Tor, and have seen remnants of the Berlin wall – even with Jon in the early years of our relationship when he first visited me in Germany! It has made quite an impression on me.
It was a really fun night. I am very tuned to this kind of thing since it has changed my life so much. Berlin has changed also a lot since I moved here and probably since you’ve been here too. But how fun that you and Jon got to see it.