Twenty years ago on Nov. 9, 1989, the world watched as crowds gathered on both sides of the Berlin Wall to celebrate the demise of the wall and the opening of the border between East and West Berlin. The fall of the barrier, catalyzed by civil unrest and changes in the Eastern Bloc, paved the way for Germany's unification, the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a unified Europe.

The Cornell Department of German Studies is celebrating the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall Sept. 22-26 with a series of events titled "Freedom Without Walls." The project is co-sponsored by the consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The series closes with a two-day conference, "1989 for the 21st Century." Academics from Cornell and around the country will discuss topics ranging from the experience of black Germans and the culture of memory to German poetry, digital art and popular music before and after the wall's demolition.

Other events include:

"Über-Free"

Wall art competition, Sept. 22-26, Arts Quad. A select group of students is covering a replica of the Berlin Wall with graffiti art. The winner will enter a national competition with a chance to win two free tickets to Berlin.

"Tear down this wall!"

Public speaking competition, Sept. 23, 12:20-1:10 p.m., Berlin Wall replica, Arts Quad. Each participant, playing the role of a U.S. president, will speak on the topic of freedom. The competition takes its name from a line in Ronald Reagan's 1987 speech, in which he urged then-Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev to liberate Soviet bloc nations.

Film night

Screenings of films relating to the Berlin Wall, Sept. 23, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., Kaufmann Auditorium, Goldwin Smith Hall.

Panel discussion/reading

Sept. 24, 4:30 p.m., 142 Goldwin Smith Hall. Participants will include eyewitnesses to the wall's fall.

Conference: "1989 for the 21st Century"

Sept. 26-27, Hollis E. Cornell Auditorium, Goldwin Smith Hall. Papers presented will address the year 1989 in German culture and politics. Sponsored by the Department of German Studies and the German Academic Exchange Service.

For more information, contact Alexander Phillips at arp234@cornell.edu or 255-4047.