German Club members Rachel Ernst 鈥16, of New York City (left), and Sarah Gorayeb 鈥15, of Morristown, N.J., read writing on a commemorative Berlin Wall.
A symbolic Berlin Wall, set up by the in the foyer of Lawrence Hall, commemorates the 25th anniversary of the November 9, 1989, conclusion of the separation between East and West Berlin.
Spray-painted with the German words, Kein Ausgang, meaning no exit, and the opposition statement, Wir Sind Ein Volk, meaning, we are one people, students passing by the wall were welcomed to add their own graffiti, as was common on the west side of the actual barrier.
Simple statements of peace and phrases in German decorate the commemorative wall, along with a timely references to Internet censorship in China, written in Chinese with an English translation of 鈥淒estroy the GFW [Great firewall].鈥
鈥淭he wall coming down was such an important event, and it didn鈥檛 happen that long ago,鈥 said German Club Co-President Sarah Gorayeb 鈥15, of Morristown, N.J. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something that still affects German society, and the world, today.鈥
Club Co-President Will Andrews 鈥16, of Richmond, Va., said he hopes students passing by take a moment to reflect on the lasting global impact of the wall, and to consider it in context of current world events, as has been discussed in his course.
A piece of the original Berlin Wall can be found on campus outside at 94 Broad Street.