30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall: What happened to the euphoria? | To The Point

Germany is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. But many in eastern Germany feel like second-class citizens left behind. Has it been a success story for everyone?
Linda Vierecke grew up in the former GDR and was seven years old when the wall came down. Today she works as a reporter for DW and just finished a documentary about the fall of the wall. She thinks: "It's only now, three decades after the Wall came down, that we realize how radical the change was for people in the East."
Catherine Nicholson works for France24. She believes: “Permanent euphoria is unrealistic: learning lessons from the past is more important”
Anthony Paterson is a british freelance journalist, who witnessed the fall oft he wall first hand in 1989. He says: „Thirty years on from the fall of the Berlin Wall , the far right is winning a worrying amount amount of support in the once communist east.“
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[@michaelellard4664]

From Ireland the wall coming down and seeing all the videos still makes me cry.

[@greenknitter]

In Ireland too. Makes my East German friends cry too now, but not for the same reason...

[@HistoryHustle]

Division in Germany is still there. Yet the country has one of the biggest economies and did better than other Central and Eastern European countries who only recently start to flourish.

[@greenknitter]

Dying communities in rural East with depopulation, no jobs there outside of Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden and 20% lower wages. Many don't feel like they live in a great economy.

[@kaitan4160]

@@greenknitter The 20% lower Wage im okay with because of the also much lower living costs (food, Rent etc). what i dotn like is driving over in the West and then hearing "for your Wage i wouldnt even get out of Bed!" to be followed 2 sentences later by the typical "you in the East didnt know how to work. We had to show that to you after the Wall fell", or something on that line. Sorry .... but basically saying "i wont do that Work" jsut to follow that up with "you dont know what work is" ..... am i the only one seeing the Problem with that?

[@DSC800]

@@kaitan4160 I know I'm late to the discussion, but hey, I just visited there so I'm facinated. I'm in California where there is plenty of socialism to go around. Both government and union employees are significantly less productive than the private sector. They get paid more, better benefits, yet they are a certain type of entitled people why somehow think higher of themselves. Think of DMV, Utility, Water dept, Firefighters, etc. If you suddenly thrust this group into the private sector they'd have a rude awakening, having to actually perform and all. Btw, I couldn't be them, I wouldn't be happy and not because of the work, they may have a great package of pay and benefits, but I'm simply not wired that way.

[@kelly2fly]

What happened to Euphoria? It went to HBO!

[@greenknitter]

@d s Nonsense. Most people lead normal lives there. They miss the job security, 4% rents, safe streets and no threat of homelessness or unemployment they had in the GDR!

[@greenknitter]

@d s Exploitation of what? My partner is from the East-grew up and worked there and had a happy life there until the takeover by the West. Capitalism ruined many people's lives there. I know some of them and have been there many times when I lived in Germany. From what position of experience and knowledge of the country do you speak?

[@greenknitter]

@d s @d s Oh I see, you were trying to write 'explanation', not exploitation lmao. Try spelling your words properly before replying to me. It's 'faeces' and 'nonsense' btw.

[@DSC800]

As an American who just spent a week in Berlin, our first visit, I am facinated by the 30 year division of the city followed by re-unification. I was 27 when the wall came down. Before '89 it seemed the wall would divide the city forever. While visiting we stayed in the West, by Checkpoint Charlie, but we gravitated to the East, which seemed quite vibrant (to an older person such as myself). We'd typically walk 6-8 miles a day too,, along with the subway, we enjoy the non- tourist paths avoiding the buses, tour groups, etc.

[@Justuskull]

I am a German and very proud this was my dream since I was young boy!!!

[@costaskarseras7876]

Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus has been divided longer than Berlin. Why do the so-called freedom protectors ignore the divided and Turkish occupied Cyprus an EU member?

[@WildwoodClaire1]

I don't think the situation in east Berlin has much in common with the situation in Chemnitz.

[@DennisCambly]

When the east German soldiers knocked down a piece of the wall it became a love fest of sorts.

[@mosesnsereko9763]

The Question is Did Germany learn anything after all the dilemma/catagamy events?????

[@susannehartl3067]

Does your question refers on something specific? If yes, I'm glad to answer it.

[@12tanuha21]

every builded wall will one time break down

[@mosesnsereko9763]

@@12tanuha21 but time

[@roniquebreauxjordan1302]

Good discussions

[@ladytamaya4737]

It was emotional but soon enough we realised how different “both Germans” view life. It was enormously difficult for East Germans to understand that a working day is 8 hours and social benefits less... west Germans were dismayed by how much East Germans expected in terms of immediate financial compensation and rights to every social benefit. Today things improved supported by understanding from both sides.

[@RuthCuadrado]

Lady Tamaya Without knowing anything about the situation, and just by reading your comment, you seem to be blaming a lot on East Germans. You are coming from a “we are on the right, they are on the wrong” PoV

[@zamilthankyou8839]

Germany: strict rules, good people, this nation will prevail...

[@patrickmccutcheon9361]

Curious to have a panel of three Brits and just one German taking about this. It would be interesting to have a West Berlin or West German perspective. Nevertheless an informed discussion.

[@charlottemusicgirl]

Great guests but frustrating that the host talks over them and interrupts

[@henrysmith1464]

This one is good. It lets people talk their minds, not to please anyone but their real thoughts.

[@JJMHigner]

The world is looking into subjects like this to gauge, roughly at least, how a reunified Korea will mostly like age as it reunites. Since their separation has gone on longer, I suspect many more complications. But I believe it will happen one day. No one could have really predicted 1989, right?

[@FaptnUndrpants]

If Hong Kong gains greater independence we might see others follow, Taiwan or North Korea. But North Korea has a dynasty of dictators and I don't see them releasing their grip on power without conflict.

[@JJMHigner]

@난순돌맘 Perhaps. I naturally defer to the Korean people. Mine is just an observation. The East-West German experience is the closest most people have towards an understanding about what reunification of a country long divided might mean-and if it is possible. The Korean experience will of course be different because its a different place with different concepts. But there are universal human notions of empathy on a subject like this that are (hopefully) understandable.

[@Google-Experts]

At the same time: All important statements of this night should, of course, be perceived in the exact wording in which they were formulated. Namely in German. Anyone who does not understand German will never understand these small linguistic nuances that were so very important at that moment and that led to German uniqueness.

[@Gamerroemer]

Germany: IM GOING TO HAVE A CRANKY WANKY UUUEEEEHHH

[@celebrityrog]

This journalist is still going through puberty with that voice.

[@r3dpowel796]

Yep that what younger generation now only care dance together.

[@happynappy]

The collapse of communism in Europe wasn't all sunshine and blue skies either. It also nanaged to leave a massive financial vacum that left millions in huge poverty, without wirk and starving

[@jasxx1108]

Catherine is gorgeous beautiful stunning amazing 😉 😘🌹

[@jasxx1108]

Linda you are so beautiful 😍 gorgeous stunning amazing 😉 😘🌹🌹

[@mosesnsereko9763]

30yrs since the fall of the wall, but grt thanx goes to Almighty God, who gave American forces/British Navy who where determined to crush Russia (USSR) who where on Revenge a genda.

[@Grizathvili]

Then comes Arabian and African by the hand of American Geopolitics strategy by making use of ISIS and Arabian Religion.. Wow!

[@mosesnsereko9763]

@@Grizathvili Its Germans who highly invited Arabs, of recent, having 4gotten the wound's they inflicted on then(Iraq-war),for Africans its poverty vs corrupt leaders whose funds a floating in European banks which give free loarns on almost zero interest to their citizens......... Thank you.

[@zamilthankyou8839]

The waether is bad, Ibiza is better than west germany...

[@12tanuha21]

it is the same weather as in east germany.

[@samysamy8565]

Great Mistake, breaking down the German Wall, Germany should construct the wall again

[@samysamy8565]

I don't know

[@artman7780]

They don’t feel equal, so they should make their own country to stop being second-class citizens.

[@artman7780]

@Lord Farquaad The East Germans.

[@artman7780]

@Lord Farquaad Do you understand English? 0:08

[@artman7780]

@Lord Farquaad No evidence? Ask the East Germans themselves! They say that in surveys about the divide.