Mr. Wowereit, the Wall fell 20 years ago on 9 November. How did you experience this event?
I remember that historical Thursday very vividly. A relative from the GDR was at home with us in Lichtenrade, she was a pensioner. We went for a Chinese meal, then we went back home again. My mother and our guest had already gone to bed. Suddenly an incredibly excited neighbour phoned. He told me to put away my files – I was a city councillor at the time – and turn on the TV. “You won’t believe it, Klaus,” he said. And I really did find it hard to believe what I saw. The Wall had opened.
Since then a lot has changed in Berlin. Is it really true in Berlin that “what belongs together has grown together”?
Berlin is the only state in the Federal Republic where east and west had to grow together again at the state level. In this respect it was quite right to dub Berlin a workshop of unity. Meanwhile, Willy Brandt’s prediction has been fulfilled. In Berlin, what belongs together has grown together. But, of course, things haven’t reverted to the way they used to be in the past, because history and developments have moved on.
There are not many traces left of the old division...
You have to understand that as soon as the Wall fell the overwhelming sentiment was to get rid of everything that symbolized what people considered an inhuman division. Today there’s a need to make the one-time division visible, to even re-experience it, if you like. I think we made the right decisions, so that now an appropriate means of remembering the Wall is emerging around Bernauer Strasse.
What do the categories “east” and “west” mean to you today?
In the past 20 years the city has grown together. Despite this, east and west still signify more than just points on the compass. After all, people’s biographies continue to exist, and these have been shaped by their experiences in east and west. And sometimes different emotions manifest themselves as a result of these different experiences.
Has a common Berlin identity developed in the meantime?
Yes, it has. This was impressively illustrated in the capital city campaign “be Berlin”. People from all the different districts and with all kinds of roots creatively expressed their affection for our city. Berliners are proud of their open-minded city where life’s worth living.
You launched the “be Berlin” campaign one year ago. What kind of international position is the city seeking?
Berlin is the place to be. We started the international part of the campaign just recently. The aim is to acquire a long-term international image bonus for Berlin. Berlin is a political decision-making centre in Europe, a cosmopolitan cultural centre, a magnet for the creative scene and a modern technology location. We want to awaken people’s curiosity for our city throughout the world and advertise the city’s advantages, so we can gain new friends for Berlin.
Berlin already enjoys great international popularity – particularly as a creative city. What’s so special about Berlin?
We’re the city of change. Berlin’s programme consists of development, progress, change. The city is international, exciting, tolerant, open-minded and always new – you should definitely come to Berlin.
Even so, the capital is faced with huge economic challenges. How do you propose mastering this?
The current challenges are the effects of the international financial crisis. But in the present crisis we can see it’s already proving worthwhile that we opted for innovation in Berlin. We’ve worked steadily to bring science and commerce together. In this way jobs have been created that are modern and future-oriented.
In August Berlin will be in the international spotlight again during the World Championships in Athletics. What can we expect?
It will definitely be a highlight of the year in 2009. The World Championships in Athletics are the third largest sporting event in the world following the Olympic Games and the World Cup. Berlin will be a good host. The Olympic Stadium is a fantastic arena for athletics, and the ardent spectators will fire the athletes to achieve top performances. Fans from all over the world will be coming to Berlin. We’re looking forward to it and bid a warm welcome to all our guests.
How will Berlin be celebrating the 9 November anniversary?
There will be the big Festival of Freedom at the Brandenburg Gate from 7 to 9 November. Berliners will be celebrating with guests from around the globe, with eyewitnesses and public figures.
As someone who was born in Berlin, if you had a wish for your city on its special anniversary, what would it be?
It would be wonderful if the good fairy could free us of our debts with a quick wave of her wand.
Klaus Wowereit
has been Governing Mayor of Berlin since 2001 and is one of Germany’s most popular politicians. A native of Berlin, he joined the Social Democratic Party (SPD) whilst at high school. He studied law at the Free University in Berlin.
