“Berlin: Before & After the Wall Fell" at the German American Heritage Center -- May 5.
Sunday, May 5, 2 p.m.
German American Heritage Center, 712 West Second Street, Davenport IA
Delivered in conjunction with the final day of the venue's Breaking Barriers: Walls Throughout History exhibition, Berlin: Before & After the Wall Fell will find Davenport's German American Heritage Center continuing its popular "Kaffee & Kuchen" series on May 5, with guests invited to view the departing first-floor exhibit either before or after presenter Russell Baldner's fascinating program.
Beginning with the context of post-World War II Germany and the Cold War, the richly illustrated Berlin: Before & After the Wall Fell presentation features historical interpretation and photos of Berlin and the infamous Berlin Wall taken by Baldner in 1969, eight years after the wall was raised, juxtaposed with many of the same contrasting locations today. Also featured are the iconic Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche (Emperor William Memorial Church), including Sunday morning Gottesdienst (divine worship); the historic and beautifully restored Reichstag national capitol building, including a dramatic ascent of its spectacular, new, sparkling glass dome; and the classic Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate), a historic and prominent symbol of Berlin. Close by and on a stroll along Unter den Linden (Under the Linden Trees), Berlin’s Main Street, are sober memorials and poignant reminders of the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Nazi-era burning of books, and the victims of war and dictatorship.
Concluding the walk across the heart of the city are Museum Island, the opulent Berliner Dom (cathedral), the soaring Fernsehturm (TV tower) and view of the city from more than 650 feet above it, and a perfect-day cruise on the River Spree. Also included are nuggets of Berliner wit and a little light-hearted fare, both historical and current. The presentation closes on a reflective note with historical ironies and a 30th Anniversary retrospective look at the dramatic events which led to the Fall of the Wall in early November 1989, and photographs and prophetic words—spoken five days after the erection of the wall—which require no comment.
As a youth, Russell Baldner’s early fascination with the German language and history led to B.A. and M.A. degrees in History and undergraduate and graduate study in German and Archaeology. On his first visit to Germany, the presenter lived in his great-great-grandfather’s birthplace. Baldner specializes in the history of Germany, including the Early and High Middle Ages, the Protestant Reformation and Lutheranism, and 19th- and 20th -century Europe. A frequent public speaker, Russell presents on a wide range of historical, linguistic, and archaeological subjects. In 2019, he was invited and first had the great pleasure of joining staff and guests and speaking in person at the German American Heritage Center. Following several subsequent virtual presentations during and following the pandemic, Russ welcomes the current invitation to present and looks eagerly forward to joining and meeting, once again in person, the always gracious staff and guests of the German American Heritage Center.
Berlin: Before & After the Wall Fell will be presented at the German American Heritage Center on May 5, with the 2 p.m. “Kaffee und Kuchen” program preceded by coffee and cake at 1:30 p.m. Admission is free for Heritage Center members and $5 for non-members, and more information and reservations are available by calling (563)322-8844 and visiting GAHC.org.
