Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Replica Berlin Wall Built in Commemoration at Syracuse University

Syracuse University is marking the 25th anniversary of the falling of the Berlin Wall by building another one. However, this replica Berlin Wall is meant to be interactive, as students and faculty from Syracuse University and Fayetteville-Manlius High School discovered yesterday when they gathered outside of the Maxwell School.  They wrote their own messages on the symbolic wall, built by SU’s School of Architecture.  Program organizer and chair of International Relations, Professor Mary Lovely, says the replica resonates with students, many of whom were not born when the original wall fell.

“I think, in some sense, the last six weeks have been a giant teach-in. I think probably most of us know the outlines of the story, but don’t know a lot. I certainly have learned a lot. In terms of memorializing what happened, the victims of the wall. Of course, it’s a cautionary tale of dreams gone awry.” 

Despite being born after the Berlin Wall came down, SU architecture student Monica England has a personal connection to it.

“I have German family over there. My mom was at the Wall in ’88 before it came down and she went through the whole Checkpoint Charlie and everything and I’ve been there myself and so I understand how important it is.”

Even though 25 years have passed, Monica England agrees with Professor Lovely that the falling of the Berlin Wall can resonate with young people.

“I think we all knew somewhat beforehand and being in German class has taught us a lot more, but from what I can see written on the wall, I’m not sure who wrote what, but it seems like a lot of people understand the significance of it and I like what I’m seeing on the wall so far.”

The SU Berlin Wall will be up through Saturday, when the attaché from the German Embassy in Washington, D.C., will visit SU as part of a panel discussion on the Berlin Wall.  The discussion will be followed by a video of the building of the SU Wall and then the community will be invited to tear it down.