Exhibition theme: The Border Opens: Celebrating crowds as seen from a Trabi [31/87]
Almost everyone knows to this day where he or she was on 9 November 1989. The joy at being suddenly granted the freedom to travel, also to West Germany, was immense. Each time a new border crossing was opened, people celebrated. In the same way, the removal of segments of the Wall and of border fence, as well as the reconstruction of roads between East and West became important events. Countless photographs and films taken in Berlin and at the inner-German border document these incidents as they occurred – thus preserving the good fortune of experiencing everything live for the family album.
Original Caption
"I was totally oblivious of what was happening around me during the day of 9 November 1989. It was only later, in the evening, when I was called and asked about what was going on in the city that I went out to have a look. The atmosphere throughout the city was euphoric. I approached some strangers in a Trabant car who gave me a lift to the border in Invaliden Straße. From there I walked to East Berlin – and didn't need to change any money or get a visa."
