Germany marks 65 years since Berlin Wall construction with nationwide commemorations

Former FDP deputy Linda Teuteberg warned that the AfD exploits a "resentment policy" by keeping the East‑West divide alive, saying the notion of an "Ost identity" was invented after reunification. She linked the narrative to upcoming state elections in Saxony‑Anhalt, Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern and Berlin, arguing that political parties profit from lingering differences.

From 13 to 16 August, cultural institutions in Berlin, including the Brandenburg Gate, host a programme of free events. An open‑air exhibition titled “Mauerblicke. Berlin 1961‑1990” displays historic photographs of the wall’s construction and its impact on daily life. Guided tours, talks with witnesses and artistic contributions accompany the display, while other venues across the city present exhibitions on the wall’s victims and the broader history of division and democracy.