Kaiserslautern American
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STATE OF THE ART: by Gina Hutchins-Inman 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs State of the Art is a series introducing Germany as a whole, but also highlighting an individual state or “Bundesland” every month. This month we’ll finish our tour around the last “new state” of Brandenburg to circle in on our final destination and Germany’s capital Berlin. Brandenburg completely encompasses the City of Berlin and was inherited by “Albrecht der Bär” who established the Margraviate of Brandenburg in 1157. The 29,640 square kilometer state with 2.5 million inhabitants is a land of water with 3,000 natural lakes and 30,000 kilometers of waterways. Sanssouci and a Dacha colony Its capital is Potsdam, just south-west of Berlin with the State Parliament and Dr. Dietmar Woidke of the Social Democratic Party as Minister President since 2013. The city has 180,000 inhabitants, making it the largest city in the state. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Potsdam is famed for its 16 palaces, castles and magnificent buildings. The most prominent one is Palace Sanssouci with its illustrious gardens, built by Prussian King Frederick II as his summer residence 1747, the French name can be translated to “without worry.” Other attractions include the spacious pedestrian area with cafes and restaurants among stylish buildings and a Dutch quarter.
Berlin,
Alexandrowka, a Russian dacha colony with small wooden cottages was built in 1926/27. The Babelsberg film studios were established in the 1920’s. Heavily destructed during the war, the city has returned to its old glory. Berliner Luft Heading north-east we’ll reach our final destination Berlin. The city is not only the capital of Germany with the Bundestag and Bundesrat as federal government and Kanzleramt (seat of Chancellor Olaf Scholz) but is also a city state of its own. On a state level Berlin is governed by a Senate with Kai Wegner of the Christian Democratic Party as head of state, entitled “Regierender Bürgermeister” (Governing Mayor of Berlin). He is the leader of the Senate in the Rote Rathaus (Red City Hall) and has been in office since April. Berlin is Germany’s largest city with 3.7 million inhabitants on an area of 877 square kilometers, but it has not always been the capital. According to a popular operetta written in 1904, the “Berliner Luft, Luft, Luft” has a special air, or flair that cannot be compared to any other city. A mighty Berlin Bear If you’ve ever wondered why a bear is the heraldic animal depicted on Berlin’s coat of arms, there are two theories. One says that the bear can be traced back to “Albrecht der Bär,” who founded the Margraviate of Brandenburg. The other suggests that the bear has been on the coat of arms since 1280 and is derived from the Slavik word “berl,” which means a swamp. About 7,000 years
Panoramic view of Berlin city center. Photo by frank_peters/Shutterstock.com
October 13, 2023
Brandenburg ago the area around Berlin was a jungle, which led to various swamps, wetlands and waterways developing throughout the millenniums. A bear is a symbol of strength and perseverance and the people of Berlin have shown these traits on a rollercoaster ride full of bustling, dramatic and exciting events throughout history. Let us start our city tour in an elegant horse-drawn carriage through Brandenburger Tor to be greeted by Quadriga on top, coming from Brandenburg along “Unter den Linden” Boulevard in the year 1791, and stepping into a journey through time. Early Years The core of Berlin can be attributed to the two towns of “Cölln” on the Fischerinsel (Fisher Island) and Berlin across the Spree River. The two towns formed close economic and social ties and profited from staple rights on two important trading routes leading south to Italy and from Belgium to Novgorod in Russia. In 1701 Frederick I crowned himself as King of Prussia and declared Berlin as his new capital, replacing Königsberg (now known as Kaliningrad in Russia). The town quickly grew and merged with the four cities of Cölln, Friedrichswerder, Friedrichstadt and Dorotheenstadt under the official name “Royal Capital and Residence of Berlin” until 1871. The city prospered, and prestigious buildings were erected, parks and walking paths along the Spree River were created and the city experienced overall beautification. The world famous Brandenburger
Tor was constructed from 1788 to 1791, intended to be the highlight of the boulevard “Unter den Linden” lined with lime trees. The boulevard greeted visitors entering the city and the gate was topped off with a copper figure depicting Eirene, Goddess of Peace, steering a chariot with four horses. The Quadriga was originally positioned facing Brandenburg. In October 1806 French troops marched through the gate and Napoleon had the Quadriga removed and taken to Paris. In 1814 the Prussians retrieved the figure and re-mounted it in opposite direction facing the city. The famous gate has become a symbol of turmoil and destruction, but also hope and reconciliation throughout time. In 1871 the city was declared the capital of the German Empire under Emperor Wilhelm I and Otto von Bismarck became Germany’s first elected chancellor until 1890. The mighty Reichstag building was completed in 1884 and Berlin experienced an economic upswing after industrialization and a rapid growth in population. By the late 1890’s Berlin had become an industrial city with 800,000 inhabitants and poor sanitary conditions led to the construction of public toilets and bath houses, and a modern wastewater system was installed throughout the city. It also evolved into the main railway hub and economic center of Germany. Turn of the century Improvements to the infrastructure were made and the first subway was opened in 1902. Cultural sites were established, museums opened,
music performances played a leading role, and the Opera House and Theater (Schauspielhaus) were built. The world famous and luxurious Adlon Hotel at Pariser Platz near Brandenburger Tor was opened in 1907 and welcomed prominent guests such as politicians, actors and wealthy families. Berlin was far from the battlefields on the western front during World War I that began in 1914, but residents experienced hunger and deprivation during the time, as many young men were drafted into the military, including farmers (and their horses) leading to a shortage of vegetables and produce. Women were forced to work in factories or take over typical male professions of the time to support their families. Roaring Twenties At the end of the war in 1918 the Weimar Republic was proclaimed with Berlin remaining its capital until 1933. The city quickly regained momentum in the post-war years and evolved into a boom town with entertainment, a wild nightlife scene, loud and smoky pubs opening at every corner, elegant coffee houses, liberal fashion for women and a boost for emancipation. Writers, painters and humanists swarmed to Berlin and paved the way to an impressionist movement. Ernest Hemmingway visited the city for longer periods on four occasions, actress and singer Josephine Baker adored Berlin, while actress Marlene Dietrich born there started her career on various theater stages before making her way to Hollywood.
