37 Years After Berlin Wall Fall, Germans Still Feel Divided
A minority of respondents report feeling a strong sense of community between former East and West Germany, with many perceiving significant differences
Thirty-seven years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, many Germans still feel a sense of division between the former East and West. The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, marking a significant event in German history. However, surveys show that only a minority of respondents report feeling a strong sense of community between those from former East and West Germany.
Many people on both sides of the former divide continue to perceive significant differences. This is evident in the experiences of individuals who lived through the fall of the Berlin Wall. Author Lea Streisand, who was born in 1979 and grew up in East Berlin, experienced the fall of the Berlin Wall firsthand. She was 10 years old when the wall fell and received 100 Deutsche Marks from the West German state as a welcome gift, which she used to buy winter boots.
However, Streisand's experience of reunification was not entirely positive. She recalls feeling disappointed and overwhelmed by the rapid changes that took place in the following year. The people of East Germany had brought about the fall of the Berlin Wall themselves through a civil movement, but the subsequent reunification process was swift and sweeping. Streisand's story is just one example of the complex and nuanced experiences of individuals who lived through this period.
## Why it matters The ongoing sense of division between former East and West Germany has significant implications for the country's social and political landscape. The fact that many people on both sides continue to perceive significant differences highlights the need for ongoing efforts to promote unity and understanding. Artists like Lea Streisand and Anke Feuchtenberger, who teaches at the University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg, are using their work to process and reflect on the country's history and reunification.
The legacy of the Berlin Wall continues to shape German society and politics today. As the country looks to the future, it is essential to acknowledge and address the ongoing divisions and differences that exist between former East and West Germany. By doing so, Germans can work towards a more unified and inclusive society, one that recognizes and values the diverse experiences and perspectives of its citizens.
