Gorbachev leaves handprints to mark 25th anniversary of fall of Berlin Wall
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was greeted like a hero when he visited the Berlin Wall to mark the 25th anniversary of its fall. The 83-year-old was also invited to leave his handprints in commemoration of his role in German reunification.
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was greeted like a hero when he visited the Berlin Wall to mark the 25th anniversary of its fall. The 83-year-old was also invited to leave his handprints in commemoration of his role in German reunification.
Berlin residents lit 8,000 balloons along the length of the Berlin Wall to mark the day it fell.
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| Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev leaves his handprint on the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall (Source: RT) |
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“I first came to East Berlin in 1966. It was an austere place, full of buildings that had not been repaired since the end of the war,” RT quoted Mr. Gorbachev.
“The war ended a long time ago, but once again we see tensions rising in Europe and we need to make sure that we don’t let the situation get out of hand,” he continued, referring to the conflict in Ukraine.
Previously, according to RT, Western media predicted that Mr. Gorbachev would give a speech "defending Russian President Vladimir Putin," but in the end he stayed away from political statements.
After Gorbachev finished speaking, the loudspeakers immediately blared out the song The Wall by Pink Floyd. Gorbachev also left his handprint, in an event to acknowledge his role in the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Unlike previous Soviet leaders, Gorbachev famously said that Eastern European countries had the right to determine their own fate. The statement paved the way for the collapse of the East German government.
Just hours before Mr Gorbachev's speech, Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit lit the first of 8,000 balloons placed along the length of the now almost completely demolished Berlin Wall.
“I do this with joy, goodwill and the awareness that Berlin today is a city located in the heart of Europe, full of openness, tolerance and globally recognized,” said Mr. Wowereit.
On the night of November 9, coinciding with the announcement that East Germans were now allowed to cross the border into West Germany, all the balloons were released into the air, to the majestic sounds of Beethoven's Ode to Joy.
Also on the night of November 9, more than 2 million people will attend the celebration held at the Brandenburg Gate, alongside Mr. Gorbachev and another Cold War figure, former Polish leader Lech Walesa./.
According to VNA
