Tuesday 16 June 2015

Am I back in old Soviet Berlin?



 
 
 
Treptower Park;  large, looming, ominous and unmistakably Soviet.
 
 
I feel as I step into the park that I have gone back in time. To a time when the stasi were an ever present part of East German life and a world where we lived in constant fear of a nuclear war.
 
 
Communist countries did love a sculpture, statue or tower. Some even had all three plus many more emblems that would adorn cities, streets and buildings. You would not be able to get away from the sight of political propaganda anywhere back in the days of the iron curtain and the Berlin wall.
 
 
Standing in Treptower Park in an area that was once East Berlin it seems remarkably quiet considering that there is a main road not so far away. It’s not quiet actually, it’s still.
Almost too still.
This adds to the eeriness of the place and the awkward feeling that the giant statue and centre piece of the park gives you as it stares deep into you.
 
 
The statue and park which is the East German war memorial is a reminder of the battle against fascism.
The soldier holds a child he has saved and clutches a sword; under his feet are the remains of a shattered swastika.
Powerful and emblematic stuff.
 
 
While I stand here looking I wonder how the people of East Berlin must have felt as their country plummeted towards economic ruin and isolationism from all but the soviets.
How did they feel seeing gigantic statues erected while they struggled with everyday life?
 
 
I shift m gaze over to the iron fence and see many parts have been removed, vandalised and stolen. Presumably melted down and recycled in harsher times.
 
Treptower Park also seems a little out of place as it is the Soviet Cenotaph commemorating the 80,000 Soviet soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle for Berlin.
It doesn’t seem like a German liberation statue or monument at all.
When it was opened in1949 the world was a very different place. East German citizens were getting used to a life divided from friends, relatives and soon their own country.
When I leave after exploring inside the monument and around I feel like I needed to know a little more but there was a lack of information. It seems that Berliners do not visit this place and it is almost forgotten and hidden amongst the trees.
Almost abandoned like the Spreepark derelict amusement park in the woods not far away.
I wander back along the river Spree and see it for myself. Large fences erected and signs saying keep out.
 
Rotting bumper cars and a falling down dilapidated circus big top. Large fibre glass dinosaurs standing covered in moss looking forlorn and having seen better days.
Then I see something that still to this day is one of the spookiest and creepiest things I have ever seen.
 
The large abandoned Ferris wheel is turning and creaking. Not just moving in the wind, fully rotating.
 
Through the quiet of the woods you can hear it creak and crunch and hum of a motor.
 
I walk back to central Berlin in need of a good German beer. But all my head can think of is why was it turning and did someone break in to turn it on?
 
Too many unanswered questions for one day.





11 comments:

  1. This part of the city’s past is just that and it’s very foolish to deny it, because when we remember we don’t allow the repetition of such mistakes.

    ReplyDelete
  2. create your project and assignment by taking help from these useful tools chicago citation generator Here we work for students and professionals, to make their assignment and homework task easy.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Some places do really just leave a mark on both, your heart and soul. For me that place is Egypt. I mean, it is so beautiful; from the architect, to the pyramids, to the people, everything is just so beautiful and antique that I cant even. I still sometimes feel like packing my bag and going on a solo trip but sigh I cant get law dissertation writing services online for office work hahaha.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was an International student in the Germany and believe me when I say that my last year of bachelors was like hell due to dissertation load.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is very nice and inspirational content and through this, many people can get inspiration and they can also get many benefits. We should also share positive content that is helpful for us. Assignment writing service.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I feel myself lucky to have a blogger like you who offers new perspectives on current events. To be honest, I find your blogs to be quite easy to read and understand. Also, best of luck with your next publications.

    ReplyDelete
  7. well written and well explained. clearly described tiny details. Also, visit synergy for sound proof generator for commercial and industrial use.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The global Wound Therapy Devices Market size was valued at USD 1.31 billion in 2018 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 3.9% over the forecast period. Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, rising geriatric population, the launch of technologically advanced products, and rising cases of accidents and trauma across the globe are anticipated to fuel the growth. Increasing cases of chronic diseases, especially diabetes, is one of the major factors contributing to market growth. Since, long term diabetic patients are majorly prone to diabetic leg ulcers, thus rising cases of diabetes are anticipated to positively impact the advanced wound therapy devices market growth.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for sharing. I found a lot of interesting information here. A really good post, very thankful and hopeful that you will write many more posts like this one.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Yes you are right this all places are the best for adventure thanks for posting this and we also going to this place for adventure.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I regard you sharing this strong data. I'll return to your blog every once in a while to look at the latest segments. Real Estate Consultant Dubai

    ReplyDelete