Students Celebrate Fall of Wall Across US

Thousands of revelers clambered up the Berlin Wall to celebrate its demise in November 1989. © picture-alliance/dpa
Enlarge image
Thousands of revelers clambered up the Berlin Wall to celebrate its demise in November 1989.
(© picture-alliance/dpa)

Thirty universities and colleges across the United States in 2009 have entered partnership agreements with the German Information Center USA to hold  "Freedom Without Walls" events on campus around November 9, 2009.

In addition, other universities and colleges have also joined the campaign network with local activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Freedom Without Walls campus weeks include lectures, workshops, concerts, film screenings as well as speech and wall art contests, where a trip to Berlin for two awaits as first prize in a nationwide competition.  Look out for the lucky winners on this website!

Freedom without Walls
Enlarge image
Messages in many languages can be found along the replica
(© German Consulate Boston)

Participating universities have received a colorful cornucopia of "Freedom Without Walls" giveaways in the educational campaign's signature shades of bright blue, magenta, and lime green, including drawstring backpacks, eco-friendly water bottles, sturdy ballpoint pens, and T-shirts.

The campaign aims to underline why the event that signified the end of the Cold War era remains relevant today.

"Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the memory of the wall reminds us that freedom is precious," said Ambassador Klaus Scharioth.

"We are proud to support a new generation of future leaders in their effort to discover and to share what the fall of the wall means to them."

Participating Universities

Amherst College

Boston College

Bowdoin College

Brown University

California State University, Long Beach

Canisius College Buffalo

Chapman University

University of Cincinnati

Columbia University

Cornell University

Duke University

University of South Florida

University of Florida

George Mason University

Georgetown University

Johns Hopkins University

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

University of Michigan

Middlebury College

University of Missouri, St. Louis

Northern Kentucky University

University of Oregon

Rice University

University of St. Thomas

Vanderbilt University

University of Virginia

Wartburg College

University of Washington

Westminster College

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Campus Weeks

Students show off their Freedom Without Walls T-shirts from the German Information Center USA at a screening of the film "One, Two, Three" at University of South Florida. (c) Margit Grieb

Freedom Without Walls: 1989-2009

Freedom Without Walls © German Embassy Washington

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 marked the beginning of a new era in history. It was the end of the cold war, the beginning of a fully united Europe and proof that peaceful change is possible, even in the moments when it seems most unlikely. 

Campus Weeks Events

Campus Weeks Events

Travel

Jumping into the Elbsee © picture-alliance/dpa

From the Black Forest to Berlin's techno temples, Germany boasts astonishing diversity in a compact country at the heart of Europe.  For high culture in a European metropolis, a romantic journey back in time, outdoor adventure and more - it's your destination.

Modern Life

Berlin © picture-alliance/ dpa

Germany is a modern, cosmopolitan country with about 82 million inhabitants. Its society is shaped by a plurality of lifestyles and truly different ethnocultural diversity, a high standard of living, and freedom of choice.