Fall of the Berlin Wall 20th Anniversary: Freedom Festival Events

November 9, 11:05 AMGermany Travel ExaminerSharon Holton-Schmitt

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Today’s 'Fall of the Wall' 20th anniversary events feature appearances by former politicians, music, theater, and performances. Among the esteemed political guests are former German Foreign Minister, Hans-Dietrich Genscher, and the Nobel Peace Laureates Kofi Annan, Muhammad Yunus and Mikhail Gorbachev.

Ca. 19:00 CET
The 'Festival of Freedom' will begin at 19:00 at Pariser Platz with an open-air concert conducted by Daniel Barenboim an Argentinean-born pianist and conductor who lives in Berlin.

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Grand entrance of heads of states and governments as well as guests of honor (heads of states and governments) enter significantly from the East to West through the Brandenburg Gate.

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The ceremony continues with greetings and speeches from Angela Merkel (Chancellor of Germany, born in East Germany ) and Klaus Wowereit (Mayor of Berlin since 2001). Former ally representatives such as Nicolas Sarkozy (President of French Republic), Dmitry Medvedev (President of Russia), Gordon Brown (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom) and Hillary Clinton (United States Secretary of State) will also be on hand at the ceremony.

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The first of more than 1000 decorated domino blocks begin to fall at the Reichstagsufer, followed by music from ADORO.

Appearance of Mikhail Gorbachev (Last head of state of the USSR and whose efforts contributed to the end of the Cold War) and Hans-Dietrich Genscher (Former German politician credited with his efforts to end the Cold War), followed by Bon Jovi (American rock band) presenting the song "We Weren't Born To Follow".

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The fall of the longest row of dominos; accompanied by the drum-burning Berlin band Stamping Feet.

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Paul van Dyk (German born Grammy award nominated artist and DJ) presents the hymn "We are One".

The last domino falls at Brandenburg Gate.

For more information about Germany travel and tourism see:
DDR Museum in Berlin
See Berlin in a DDR Trabi
The day the Berlin Wall went up
See Nefertiti at Berlin's Neues Museum
Segway through Berlin
U2 to perfrom for free during Fall of the Wall celebration
Giants in Berlin celebrate Fall of the Wall anniversary

Germany travel awaits you, so get packed and go see it!