On 9 November 1989, the Berlin Wall came down. The dismantling of this concrete barrier which had cut a city in two since 1961 was a pivotal event which destroyed one of the most lasting images of a period in our history known as the Cold War. This important turning point in history provided the perfect reason for thirty-five students from U5 and U6 to embark upon a three-day visit to Germany’s capital during the Autumn half term. Berlin is a city which has experienced a turbulent history; not only was it the focal point of the Iron Curtain across Europe during the Cold War, but prior to that, it was where the Nazi regime ended and where Hitler killed himself in his bunker in 1945.
There are countless museums and historical sites in Berlin, some of which we visited during our trip, including the Sachsenhausen concentration camp where students considered the horrors endured under the Nazi regime, and reflected on how thankful we are for our own freedom.
In addition to the city embracing its history, Berlin continues to regenerate itself into a capital for the arts, and we were inspired to see so many young people involved in reviving the local culture through art and artistic expression, such as the annual Autumn Festival of Lights. We were able to see iconic landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate completely transformed using illuminations, creating lasting memories for us all.
Sarah Elliott, Head of History
