Saturday, November 8, 2014

Wall of light: 8,000 glowing balloons recreate the route of the Berlin Wall, 25 years after it fell


A quarter of a century after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the border between West and East has been lit up by 8,000 glowing balloons.
The bright orbs are part of the Lichtgrenze - or lightborder - art project, which has seen the balloons mark the dividing line that separated West and East Berlin for nearly 30 years.
An eight-mile stretch of the former border will be lit up until dusk on Sunday, when the orbs will be untethered and released into the sky.
The balloons pass landmarks such as Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag as they zig-zag their way through Berlin.
Beethoven's Ode to Joy will ring out as the balls of light are released - a symbol of peace in Europe 25 years on from the Wall's demolition.
Marc Bauder, who designed the art installation with his brother, Christopher Bauder, said: 'We wanted to counter this ominous, heavy structure with something light.
'Remembrance belongs to the people.'
A total of 138 people were killed along the Berlin wall from 1961 until 1989 as they tried to flee, some just months before peaceful protests opened the border. 

8,000 Luftballons: The glowing installation winds its way past Berlin's major landmarks, including the Brandenburg Gate
8,000 Luftballons: The glowing installation winds its way past Berlin's major landmarks, including the Brandenburg Gate
A quarter of a century after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the border between West and East has been lit up by 8,000 glowing balloons
A quarter of a century after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the border between West and East has been lit up by 8,000 glowing balloons
The bright orbs mark the border which separated West and East Berlin from 1961 until 1989, when it was torn down by protestors
The bright orbs mark the border which separated West and East Berlin from 1961 until 1989, when it was torn down by protestors
An eight-mile stretch of the former border will be lit up until dusk on Sunday, when the orbs will be untethered and released into the sky
An eight-mile stretch of the former border will be lit up until dusk on Sunday, when the orbs will be untethered and released into the sky
Beethoven's Ode to Joy, from his Ninth Symphony, will ring out as the balls of light are released into the night sky on Sunday
Beethoven's Ode to Joy, from his Ninth Symphony, will ring out as the balls of light are released into the night sky on Sunday
The balloons are a poignant symbol of peace in Europe, 25 years on from the fall of the Wall that marked the demise of Communism
The balloons are a poignant symbol of peace in Europe, 25 years on from the fall of the Wall that marked the demise of Communism
Luminous: The Lichtgrenze - or lightborder - art installation was created by brothers Marc and Christopher Bauder
Luminous: The Lichtgrenze - or lightborder - art installation was created by brothers Marc and Christopher Bauder
Dozens of the balloons are lined up on the Schwedter Steg bridge in central Berlin to commemorate the reunification of the city
Dozens of the balloons are lined up on the Schwedter Steg bridge in central Berlin to commemorate the reunification of the city
Constant reminder: Sections of the Berlin Wall still stand as a reminder of the bricks and mortar which divided the continent
Constant reminder: Sections of the Berlin Wall still stand as a reminder of the bricks and mortar which divided the continent
Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit inaugarated the light installation in a ceremony near the Reichstag yesterday evening
Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit inaugarated the light installation in a ceremony near the Reichstag yesterday evening
Hundreds of Berlin residents gathered outside to watch a short film about the Wall yesterday evening
Hundreds of Berlin residents gathered outside to watch a short film about the Wall yesterday evening
A quarter of a century: Commemorations tomorrow will mark 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall 
A quarter of a century: Commemorations tomorrow will mark 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2826196/Germany-marks-25-years-fall-Berlin-Wall-illuminating-former-border-East-West-8-000-glowing-balloons.html#ixzz3IUADfPuh

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