Modern Germany moves past East and West

Tourists in Berlin frequently ask "Where is the wall?" For many visitors, it is not easy to find the former border between the eastern and western parts of the city that divided Berlin for nearly 40 years. Nevertheless, 20 years after reunification there is still a huge difference between the eastern and the western parts of Germany.

With the political and economic breakdown of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR), the opportunity to unite both states was seized in October 1990. Only one year earlier, the Monday demonstrations in Leipzig shocked the government with the demands for freedom of travel for all East Germans.

With the reunification the lives of most people in the east changed completely. Their personal environment shifted and many of their old career positions were canceled or changed. People needed to deal with new tasks and possibilities. Many increased their standard of living, while others lost their jobs and senses of self. Still many people from the eastern part of Germany feel that they only needed to change their lives - that no real unification had taken place.

Helmut Kohl, from the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), was the German chancellor until 1998. He headed the process of reunification, guaranteeing a "blühende Landschaften," or "prosperous country," where it would be worth living and working. After Kohl, Gerhard Schröder, from the center-left Social Democrats, became head of the state. He pushed the nuclear power phase-out and, along with the Green Party, established huge investments in renewable energy resources like solar and wind power for the rural areas of the east. He also decided to implement cuts in the governmental social programs which had especially huge impacts on many people in the eastern part of the country. In 2005, Angela Merkel (CDU), who grew up in the former GDR, became the first female chancellor. Prior to 1990 she worked as a successful physicist in East Berlin.

But still, the eastern part of Germany suffers high unemployment rates, and whole industries closed within the first few years after the reunification. Nevertheless, the old differences are becoming less noticeable. Some politicians are even thinking about ceasing the government programs for the eastern part of the country. After all, many cities and regions in the former western half of Germany also suffer high unemployment and budget deficits, especially where the coal and steel industries have been shrinking over the past few decades.

One essential problem of the East is that many young people are still leaving the region looking for jobs in Cologne, Munich or Hamburg - especially well-educated women. Despite this, a pulsating subculture is found in eastern cities with big universities, like Leipzig, Dresden and Jena. Over the past few years, each of these cities has established an interesting mix of people from all over.

Despite the far-right crimes in both parts of the country which happened shortly after 1990, damaging the national reputation, immigrants from outside of Germany were changing the cultural mix. Many Russian Germans immigrated in the last two decades, some of whom are Jewish and have established new Jewish communities and culture throughout the country.

One of the best regular parties in Berlin, the Berlin Meshugge, was created by the young Lesbian, Gay and Transgender community from Israel. This varied mixture, which rose after 1990, makes this city special.

Berlin, the capitol since 1990, may be the most exciting place in Germany. Unfortunately, the city center has been redesigned, making it difficult to enjoy the historical spirit of many places. The new center of Berlin, which was formerly split in two by the border of East and West Germany - the Potsdamer Platz - is now a standard shopping place and not the right place. But you only need a few hours on the subway to explore the good old spirit of West Berlin, trendy Friedrichshain district and enjoy architecture of the former GDR in the eastern part of the city.

The new buildings for the German parliament were built on the former border connecting both parts of the city. To travel, like a member of Parliament, from the Reichstag to the library of the Parliament, you have to pass a bridge over the river Spree, the Cold War frontier. For 40 years, it was nearly impossible to cross.

Nowadays, Berlin is filled with tourists from all over the world. If they do not know where they are, East or West, they can ask someone. I am sure they will get the answer of where the old border was located.