Former refugees from East Germany celebrate the anniversary of the 1989 escape to the West
Hundreds of former refugees returned to the German Embassy in Prague on Saturday to commemorate their escape from the former East Germany through the Czech capital 30 years ago. Accompanied by the guests, among whom were children and grandchildren, many cried, remembering that significant day.
"Emotions are running high," said Hilmar Zander, a 65-year-old former refugee who attended the meeting. Zander arrived at the embassy with his wife and two young children in 1989. "It was worth it," he said.
To mark the day, the embassy recreated a scene from 1989, including tents and large pots of soup, similar to the food the refugees ate at that time.
Refugees from East Germany camped outside the West German Embassy in 1989
Extreme measures
Starting in the summer of that year, more and more East German refugees were sent to the West German Embassy in Prague for the purpose of emigration. Many climbed over the fence surrounding the embassy to get inside. By September, thousands of men, women and children were living in makeshift tents on the territory of the complex.
On September 30, the then Foreign Minister of West Germany, Hans-Dietrich Genscher, announced their fate from the balcony of the embassy. "Fellow countrymen, we have come to you to share the news that as of today.... The rest of his statement ("...Your departure to the Federal Republic of Germany is now possible.) It was famously drowned out by the cries of thousands of refugees.
Between September 30 and October 4, 1989, about 13,000 East German citizens traveled by train from Prague to their new home in West Germany.
"The first stone that broke off from the wall";
"It was, in fact, the first stone that broke from the wall," said Rudolf Seiters, a former government minister who stood next to Genscher during the announcement on Saturday. The Berlin Wall, the physical barrier separating East and West Germany, fell just weeks after the Prague Declaration, leading to German reunification in 1990.
"We will never be able to put aside the memories of that time," Christian Burger, a refugee representative in 1989, told EPD News agency on Saturday.
"We must also extend a helping hand to people in danger," said former refugee Markus Rind, director of the Dresden Symphony Orchestra today, as a plaque commemorating the events was unveiled at Prague Train Station. 1xBet Best Betting Offers in India All you have to do is provide the 1xbet promo code india when registering your new 1xBet account and you can receive a 130% first deposit match bonus as much as ₹42900! Registration at 1xBet India is easy with a few different sign-up methods. Betting sites introduce various bonuses for new and regular punters. These could be the welcome bonus for new players, free bet offers, a reload or a cashback offer on specific days of the week. Players can also win exclusive bonuses on their birthdays or referral rewards. Also, many sites have a VIP program to reward their regular customers.
"Emotions are running high," said Hilmar Zander, a 65-year-old former refugee who attended the meeting. Zander arrived at the embassy with his wife and two young children in 1989. "It was worth it," he said.
To mark the day, the embassy recreated a scene from 1989, including tents and large pots of soup, similar to the food the refugees ate at that time.
Refugees from East Germany camped outside the West German Embassy in 1989
Extreme measures
Starting in the summer of that year, more and more East German refugees were sent to the West German Embassy in Prague for the purpose of emigration. Many climbed over the fence surrounding the embassy to get inside. By September, thousands of men, women and children were living in makeshift tents on the territory of the complex.
On September 30, the then Foreign Minister of West Germany, Hans-Dietrich Genscher, announced their fate from the balcony of the embassy. "Fellow countrymen, we have come to you to share the news that as of today.... The rest of his statement ("...Your departure to the Federal Republic of Germany is now possible.) It was famously drowned out by the cries of thousands of refugees.
Between September 30 and October 4, 1989, about 13,000 East German citizens traveled by train from Prague to their new home in West Germany.
"The first stone that broke off from the wall";
"It was, in fact, the first stone that broke from the wall," said Rudolf Seiters, a former government minister who stood next to Genscher during the announcement on Saturday. The Berlin Wall, the physical barrier separating East and West Germany, fell just weeks after the Prague Declaration, leading to German reunification in 1990.
"We will never be able to put aside the memories of that time," Christian Burger, a refugee representative in 1989, told EPD News agency on Saturday.
"We must also extend a helping hand to people in danger," said former refugee Markus Rind, director of the Dresden Symphony Orchestra today, as a plaque commemorating the events was unveiled at Prague Train Station. 1xBet Best Betting Offers in India All you have to do is provide the 1xbet promo code india when registering your new 1xBet account and you can receive a 130% first deposit match bonus as much as ₹42900! Registration at 1xBet India is easy with a few different sign-up methods. Betting sites introduce various bonuses for new and regular punters. These could be the welcome bonus for new players, free bet offers, a reload or a cashback offer on specific days of the week. Players can also win exclusive bonuses on their birthdays or referral rewards. Also, many sites have a VIP program to reward their regular customers.