Berlin Wall project to focus on 'iconic moment'

SMU is set to launch a two-week event that teaches historical lessons through exhibit and guest lectures.

Professor Kirrily Freeman shows one of the exhibit posters. Paula Bugden photo.

Steffen Käubler lived in Dresden, Germany when the Berlin Wall fell. In October, 1989, he says he took part in an illegal demonstration when he was 17 years-old. The Berlin Wall fell one month later on Nov. 9.

"It was such an iconic moment. But really, the revolution was the most important thing for myself," he says.

Käubler's one of the five people who will be sharing stories about the wall at the Roundtable discussion set for Oct. 29.

It's one of several events scheduled for The Wall's Echo project, starting at Saint Mary's University next week. It runs from Oct. 26 to Nov. 9 at the McNally Theatre Auditorium on campus and commemorates the 20-year anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Esther Enns, the Faculty of Arts dean, has taken part in the planning process from the beginning. She says the idea for the poster exhibit came from German consulate representatives last winter when they visited Saint Mary's.

Since then, Enns says the local German-Canadian Association has also been involved with the project, as well as volunteers.

"It was decided that the poster exhibit would be an anchor item," says Enns. "The Berlin Wall shaped so much of 20th century history. It's something of broad interest and to have a poster exhibition just on its own is probably not giving it enough profile."

Guest speakers, such as the Consul General of Germany and Kirrily Freeman, a history professor at Saint Mary's, add to the list of events. The university will also have two pieces of the Berlin Wall on display.

With six months of working out the details and committee meetings every second week, Enns says getting the word out about the event was one of the biggest challenges.

Students at Saint Mary's aren't the only ones who can visit The Wall's Echo project. It's for anyone interested in learning about the Berlin Wall, says Enns.

That's where the Roundtable discussion comes in.

While students didn't take part in planning the project, Enns says they'll have a chance to ask questions during the discussion.

Alicia MacDonald, an 18-year-old student at Saint Mary's, says she likes the idea and sees it as an interesting opportunity.

"I think people will learn from their experiences and what they've went through," she says. "I'm so interested in things like that - with these people actually being there, telling you about it."

Meanwhile, Käubler has his reasons for being on the discussion panel. He says it's a chance for him to reflect and share his story.

"I hope to remind people that living in a free democratic county isn't a given," he says. "I've experienced otherwise."

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