“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
Publicly delivered from West Berlin to then Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in June 1987, that brazen call came to symbolize the high point of Ronald Reagan's presidency, and the beginning of the end of the barrier that separated East and West Berlin.
The Wall did eventually come down -- or at least most of it did.
Large sections, however, have not just remained standing, they've become a tourist attraction.
The East Side Gallery, a 1.3-kilometer length of the Wall covered with colorful murals and graffiti recalling the politics, tension and human sacrifice of the Cold War era, reportedly attracts 800,000 visitors a year.
As with other extant pieces of the Wall, the gallery's artwork has been created by artists from around the world.
Finishing Reagan's work?
Many in rapidly gentrifying Berlin, however, see the remnants of the Wall as both a physical and spiritual impediment to modernization.
As reported by the Guardian, these include a development group called Living Bauhaus, which plans to construct a 63-meter-high (206 feet) office and residential tower near the East Side Gallery.
Sections of the Wall would be demolished to make room for the new construction, while the aesthetics of those parts left standing would be imperiled, according to protestors.
“All the paintings have become a symbol of freedom in Berlin and Europe,” said French artist Thierry Noir, according to the Guardian report. “This is a unique opportunity to preserve a large section of what was once a death strip. If you remove the sections, you're destroying the authenticity of this place.”
Noir's paintings cover sections of the Wall slated for removal.
Further demolition of the Wall nevertheless appears inevitable. Local politicians say the current developers have a legal right to tear down the Wall.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Joy FM Prayer Summit for Peace ends in electrifying worship and prayer
6 hours -
The Conscience of Leadership: A call to President Akufo-Addo on Ghana’s environmental devastation
7 hours -
Ghanaian youth unaware of their right to hold politicians accountable – Youth Bridge Foundation
7 hours -
Judge delays Trump sentencing for a third time
8 hours -
2024 WAFCON: Ghana drawn against defending champions South Africa in Group C
8 hours -
Photos from DW-JoyNews street debate on ‘galamsey’
9 hours -
Mimmy Yeboah: Blending heritage with global sophistication, confidence redefined through couture
9 hours -
100 Most Influential People Awards 2024: Brain Hill International School’s Director Mary Anane Awuku honoured
10 hours -
Akufo-Addo commissions 97-km Tema-Mpakadan railway line
10 hours -
Majority requests recall of Parliament
10 hours -
Kanzlsperger and Professor Quartey support WAFA with medical Donation
10 hours -
Gideon Boako donates 10 industrial sewing machines to Yamfo Technical Institute
10 hours -
‘Golden Boy’ Abdul Karim Razak honored at WAFU-B general assembly
10 hours -
Buipewura Jinapor secures Vice Presidential position in National House of Chiefs with record votes
11 hours -
2024 election: I want results to come out like ‘milk and honey’ – Toobu
11 hours