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Consul General Drautz Speaks at Berlin Wall Unveiling Ceremony
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- Consul General Wolfgang Drautz, Kamilla Blanche, Director of Sister Cities, Councilmember Tom LaBonge, and Justinian Jampol, Director/Founder, Wende Museum.
- (© Consulate General Los Angeles)
''It was three lucky circumstances that brings the world's largest stretch of the Wall outside of Berlin to Los Angeles,“ said Consul General Wolfgang Drautz, as eight wall sections were unveiled at a ceremony on the lawn of 5900 Wilshire Boulevard on Friday, October 16, 2009.
The vision to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall in Los Angeles with a series of public events, The Wall Project, including erecting a wall across and along Wilshire, was conceived by Justinian Jampol, Executive Director and Founder, of The Wende Museum in Culver City. The museum houses one of the largest collections of German Cold War art and artifacts in the world.
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- Dignitaries unveil eight sections of the Berlin Wall as part of "The Wall Project."
- (© Consulate General Los Angeles)
Secondly, the cities of Los Angeles and Berlin share a tight bond. They are sister cities and have had a close relationship that is now in its 42nd year. The project celebrates the historic ties between the two sister cities.
And last but not least, without the help of Los Angeles 4th District Councilmember, Tom LaBonge, the ''Godfather“ of L.A. and President of the Sister Cities organization, the cooperation of the city, and many other partners, the ambitious project could not have been realized.
The installation gives Southern Californians the chance to see and touch 40 feet of the actual 12-foot tall sections of the infamous wall that separated East and West Germany for 28 years from 1961 to 1989.
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- Consul General Drautz with muralist Kent Twitchell and German journalist Thomas J. Spang.
- (© Consulate General Los Angeles)
Beginning Saturday, October 17, the wall will be painted by Berlin-based artist Thierry Noir, who was the first artist to paint on the Berlin Wall in 1984, and renowned mural artist Kent Twitchell.
The wall can be viewed for free through November 14. The events are paving the way for the official commemoration of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 8, 2009.
There will be a free 20th anniversary recreation of the fall of the Berlin Wall at 5900 Wilshire Blvd. from 11pm to midnight. Prior to that, there will an event featuring a performance by renowned chanteuse Ute Lemper and a DJ set by celebrated artist Shepard Fairey. Tickets are $250. for this performance. Please call 310.216.1600 x305 for more information.
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- A wall section is lifted over Wilshire Blvd. in preparation for the unveiling ceremony on the lawn of 5900 Wishlire Blvd. on Friday, October 16th.
- (© Consulate General Los Angeles)
For a complete list of activities honoring the cultural and historical implications of the fall of the Wall, please visit: www.wallproject.org
(© Wende Museum/ Dirty Robber)
