27th Oct 2025: the Berlin Wall in Berlin

Visiting Berlin for the first time in my life and saw the Berlin Wall. Standing before this historic structure and witnessing how people now freely move between East and West made me realize once again how devastating war is.

As you know, the Berlin Wall was a symbol of the Cold War, etched into world history. On August 13, 1961, the East German government built the wall to prevent mass emigration to the West, dividing the city of Berlin into East and West. Stretching about 155 kilometers, it was far more than a simple concrete barrier—it included watchtowers, barbed wire, armed guards, and a heavily fortified “death strip.” In East Germany, it was called the “Anti-Fascist Protection Wall,” but in reality, it robbed citizens of their freedom.

The wall symbolized the tension of the Cold War, and many risked their lives trying to cross it. On November 9, 1989, the border between East and West Germany was opened, leading to the fall of the wall and, the following year, German reunification. This event became a powerful symbol of the end of the Cold War and brought hope to the world.

The mural emphasizing the closeness between Brezhnev, the Soviet leader during the Cold War, and Honecker, the East German leader, was particularly striking.

The left side represents the former West Germany, and the right side represents the former East Germany.