From Berlin to the world: Berlin celebrates freedom on the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall

Berlin, 8 November 2024 Berlin, the city of freedom, is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall today and tomorrow. To mark the occasion, the city has welcomed contemporary witnesses and international personalities who are committed to freedom and democracy worldwide. These include Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Iranian women's rights activist Masih Alinejad and Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López as well as civil rights activists such as Marianne Birthler and other contemporary witnesses of 1989. The Governing Mayor Kai Wegner, visitBerlin Managing Director Burkhard Kieker and Kulturprojekte Berlin Director Moritz van Dülmen welcomed these courageous people at the Brandenburg Gate today.

Voices on freedom

The Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner: ‘Just as courageous people fought for freedom and democracy 35 years ago, many courageous people around the world are fighting for it today. Our unreserved solidarity goes out to them, Berlin as a city of freedom stands firmly by their side.’

Burkhard Kieker, Managing Director of visitBerlin: ‘35 years ago, the Wall fell in Berlin and with it a border that separated Germany for almost three decades. The courage and strength of the people who stood up for freedom and democracy in East Germany in 1989 made this historic event possible. Together with them, we would like to remind you that freedom cannot be taken for granted. Today, Berlin's history is also a role model for many people around the world who are standing up for freedom and fighting for it, which is why we have invited some of them to the anniversary of the fall of the Wall.’

Moritz van Dülmen, Managing Director Kulturprojekte Berlin: ‘At the centre of this year's anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall are the values that were fought for 35 years ago and which are still central today: Freedom and democracy. Our poster installation conveys these and we cordially invite everyone to celebrate the anniversary together in Berlin today and tomorrow.’

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarusian opposition leader: ‘Berlin taught us that no wall can withstand the power of people determined to be free. Today, Belarusians share that same dream — to tear down the walls of tyranny and to finally live in a free and democratic country, as a part of Europe.’

Masih Alinejad, Iranian journalist and women's rights activist: ’The fall of the Berlin Wall continues to have an impact to this day as a sign of hope, democracy and freedom. Unfortunately, there are still walls all over the world. Stand by our side, by the side of all those who stand up for freedom and democracy.’

Leopoldo López, Venezuelan opposition leader: ’1989, the fall of the Berlin Wall, is a beacon of hope. In the case of Venezuela, we know that change will happen, as I am sure that those at the front lines of the fight against communism before 1989 knew that a change was meant to happen. 70 countries today are part of the same fight.  It´s part of the same continuum. It is part of the struggle for freedom. Freedom, democracy and human rights. ’

On the evening of 8 November, visitBerlin hosted an exclusive evening event. The event is intended to thank and honour people from all over the world who played a part in the peaceful revolution 35 years ago. Contemporary witnesses, civil rights activists and personalities from national and international politics, culture, business and the media will come together. In addition to looking back on 1989, this evening will also serve as a reminder and encouragement that the fight for freedom continues worldwide. The patron of the event is Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner.

Further information

• Press photos will follow
• How Berlin is celebrating the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall: visitBerlin.de/35-jahre-mauerfall-berlin
• Press release on the programme from 5 November 2024, factsheet on the anniversary of the fall of the Wall in Berlin
• Images for your reporting: before and after photos and in the download portal
• There is a lot of content about the anniversary of the fall of the Wall on visitBerlin ‘s social media channels, i.e. Instagram, TikTok, facebook and LinkedIn. Corresponding hashtags are #visitberlin, #mauerfall35, #mauerfall and #berlinwall.