30 years later - any wiser?

November 9 is an important day in Germany's history.

On this day in 1918, the German Republic was founded in Weimar.

On this day in 1938, the raid on Jewish houses and shops marked the Reichskristallnacht.

On this day in 1989, the border between East and West Germany was opened: The Wall came down. This event was memorised during an afternoon seminar organised by the Duitsland Instituut Amsterdam (DIA). The speakers recalled the overall political situation at the time: Michail Gorbatschov had loosened the political grip on the Eastern block countries allowing the release of Lech Wa??sa, the round-table agreement and free elections in Poland, the Velvet Revolution and the release of political prisoners in Czechoslovakia and the loosening of border patrols at the Hungarian-Austrian border. People started demonstrating for more freedom in many cities in the 'DDR', most famous are the Monday demonstrations in Leipzig. On October 9, 70.000 people participated in the demonstrations without banners to avoid provoking police and Stasi. One month later, the loosening of border controls along the inner-German border was announced. To us Wessies, this is the historic moment. To some Ossies, December 3 is more important, the day that the DDR government toppled.

Where are we 30 years later? East Germany has changed economically, the cities have developed, rural areas are still struggling. According to two speakers who grew up in the former DDR, the perception of inequality still has to adjust, the narrative of East German history and development is still largely dictated by West-German media: All East-Germans were either spying for the Stasi or spied on. Although the border has disappeared and the social & economic framework levelled, the stereotyping continues both ways. And since the Eastern states joined the West without keeping their structure, rules and provisions, many Wessies developed an arrogant colonial vision. If they were transferred to an Eastern region to establish a subsidiary of their company, they would receive a 'jungle bonus'. In the DDR, many details of personal life were provided or dictated by the governmental system, leading to less self-consciousness and assertiveness among the people. The older generations still seem to struggle with that while the younger people develop a stronger will and determination, testing and exploiting the possibilities.

At the end of the afternoon, historian Geert Mak brilliantly summarised the recent history on a larger European scale (also see article in NRC, link below) and explained the role of the re-united Germany in Europe as the largest economy and leading political role - as long as they pay their share and lead in a cautious way. The perception of freedom and democracy has changed in the light of the peaceful revolution that led to the Wende 30 years ago.

What a day!!

https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2019/10/31/nu-pas-begrijp-ik-hoe-het-zit-a3978694

https://duitslandinstituut.nl/de-staat-van-duitsland-30-jaar-na-de-muur