REMEMBRANCE IN TIME - Index of

Lars HANEBERG.: Living beside the Berlin Wall 63
Meanwhile demonstrations were staged all over East Germany. Initiators were mostly
people wanting to leave to the West. This was the start of what Germans generally call
the "Peaceful Revolution". It was very interesting to follow the events watching both,
western and eastern television. I felt very glad, even amused, when Erich Honecker, the
longtime leader of East Germany, finally had to resign on 18 October 1989. It was a big
satisfaction to watch this at DDR 1, the loyal national television which still broadcasted
loyal to the party principles.
In the evening, East Germany witnessed the largest protest demonstration since the
uprising of June 17, 1953. The police had to withdraw in face of the overwhelming
masses, who cried again and again: »We are the people!« [9] I did not understand the
message of the keywords but my parents explained me that it tells the authorities that they
have forfeited the right to act in the name of the people.
Only in the morning hours of the 10th November my father informed me very deeply
moved about the opening of the borders during the night before. Instantly I realized that
something really important occurred. On the one hand I was very disappointed that I
missed this opening of the gates by oversleeping. On the other hand I was confused about
my parents’ enthusiasm. My skepticism towards the former archrival was huge. I did not
distinguish between the authorities and regular citizens. Thus, I could not comprehend the
fraternization that took place everywhere. Nevertheless I supported the idea of a fast
reunification, first of all, because of the sport.
That day at school we were informed that any participation in demonstrations or trips to
the wall would be sanctioned by severe disciplinary measures. In our history lesson we
read Robespierre instead of discussing the historical events which took place hardly 10
km away from us. During my entire school life the revolution in the GDR was never at
the agenda.
Fortunately my parents encouraged me to discover the “Wild East” and to eyewitness as
they said, historical events, like the opening of the Glienicke Bridge. The bridge
connected the US-occupied sector of West-Berlin with Soviet-occupied Potsdam, which
was in East Germany and was used during the cold war to exchange captured spies. At
the opening unimaginable scenes happened.
Fig. 4: Welcoming of the new citizens at the Glienicke Bridge in November 1989