25 years after fall of the Berlin Wall, divisions in Germany remain

In a survey ahead of the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall - which is celebrated on 9 November 2014 - 54% of German citizens did not show any interest in knowing more about the history of former East Germany - 6 in 10 Germans were in favour of looking ahead rather than reflecting on German Democratic Republic (GDR) history.

Euro|Topics in its Main Focus on the 10 November 2014 chose European newspaper coverage of the anniversary, and said 'Hundreds of thousands gathered on Sunday [9 November 2014] in Berlin to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Some commentators criticise reunited Germany for isolating itself in recent years. Others voice surprise that former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev backed Russia's current policies in his speech'.

• Primary Source

Deutsche Welle, 03.11.14: 25 years later, Germans say they know enough about GDR http://dw.de/p/1DgBb

Deutsche Welle, 03.11.14: Berlin Wall memorial crosses stolen, taken to EU's outer border http://dw.de/p/1DgAV

EUObserver [Opinion], 05.11.14: The state of Europe’s democracy 25 years after the Wall http://euobserver.com/opinion/126383

The Guardian, 07.11.14: Berlin Wall – readers' memories: 'It's hard to remember how scary the Wall was' http://www.theguardian.com/cities/guardianwitness-blog/2014/nov/07/-sp-berlin-wall-readers-memories-its-hard-to-remember-how-scary-the-wall-was

Deutsche Welle, 07.11.14: Eastern Europe praised for Berlin Wall's fall http://dw.de/p/1DipR

The Conversation, 08.11.14: 25 years after fall of the Berlin Wall, Germany is a curious mix of success and struggle http://theconversation.com/25-years-after-fall-of-the-berlin-wall-germany-is-a-curious-mix-of-success-and-struggle-33977

ESO: Background information: Germans still divided, more than two decades after reunification: Survey http://www.europeansources.info/record/germans-still-divided-more-than-two-decades-after-reunification-survey/

ESO: Background information: Germany: An unequal union http://www.europeansources.info/record/germany-an-unequal-union/

The Local.de, 08.11.14: We thought the Wall would last forever http://www.thelocal.de/20141108/we-thought-the-berlin-wall-would-last-forever

openDemocracy: Can Europe Make It?, 07.11.14: 25 years after the fall of Communism: a call https://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/jeri-laber/25-years-after-fall-of-communism-call

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: Statement/14/1561: Statement by European Commission President Juncker on the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-1561_en.htm

Deutsche Welle, 09.11.14: [Opinion]: An unforgettable day http://dw.de/p/1Dixu

The Local.de, 09.11.14: Germany cheers 25 years since Berlin Wall's fall http://www.thelocal.de/20141109/germany-cheers-25-years-since-berlin-walls-fall

EurActiv, 10.11.14: Berlin celebrates the night 'that changed our lives' http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/berlin-celebrates-night-changed-our-lives-309877

Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 10.11.14: Berlin celebrates the fall of the Wall http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER153394-Berlin-celebrates-the-fall-of-the-Wall

Euronews, 09.11.14: Merkel honours Berlin Wall victims on 25th anniversary of its demise http://www.euronews.com/2014/11/09/merkel-honours-berlin-wall-victims-on-25th-anniversary-of-its-demise/

Deutsche Welle, 09.11.14: Berlin celebrating 25th anniversary of the fall of the Wall http://dw.de/p/1DjaZ

DGAP: IP Journal, 10.11.14: Impressions of a November Night https://ip-journal.dgap.org/en/blog/berlin-observer/impressions-november-night

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