Vibrant metropolis
November 18, 2009
Berlin has been at the center of the cultural world on many occasions. In the 18th century, as the capital of Prussia, Berlin was a center of the Enlightenment. In the "roaring 20s," the city was one giant party. Today, it is a major fixture on the European art scene.
Many roads of German history lead to, or at least through, Berlin. After the Nazi era and World War II, the city was divided between the occupying powers: the US, France, Great Britain and Russia.
In 1961, the construction of the Berlin Wall right through the city marked the ultimate division. When the East German Revolution brought an end to the GDR regime in 1989, the borders were finally opened again. A year later, after 40 years of separation, the two halves of the city were rejoined.
Capital once more
In the interim, Berlin has once again been named the capital and the seat of government for Germany -- although many ministries continue to have offices in Bonn, which became the capital during the Cold War era. The government district -- with the Reichstag, where parliament meets -- the Brandenburg Gate, and other main squares like the Gendarmenmarkt, are well-visited tourist sites that exude a sense of history even today.
At the same time, Potsdamer Platz, which was a no-entry zone during the Cold War, has now sprouted an imposing, highly modern skyline. Alexanderplatz, once the center of East Berlin, has also changed a great deal over the past years. Many neighborhoods --especially in the East -- are loaded with bits of German history. But the city has changed so much over the years that the route the Berlin Wall took is barely recognizable today.
Center of creative life
Berlin is more than just a historic place, though. It is culturally vibrant. The imposing buildings of the Museum Island stand proudly in true Prussian style. Great architects such as Schinkel and Langhans made their permanent marks here. One of the highlights of the Museum Island is the Bode Museum. Three major opera houses, innumerable theaters, cabarets and museums are more than enough to occupy visitors and residents. The annual Berlinale film festival draws stars from the film world to the city each February.
Creative types have made Berlin their home -- many media, music and artists offices have sprung up across the town. The city's problem, however, is a lack of funds. "Poor but sexy" is how Mayor Klaus Wowereit once described Berlin. Unemployment runs high, and the city is deep in debt. But that doesn't keep Berliners from enjoying themselves: Chic nightclubs are still among top venues here.