Learn - Exchange - Celebrate: 35 Years Mauerfall Event
Are you interested in modern German history, politics, and culture? Studying at a UK or Irish university?
This year marks 35 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. The DAAD invites students to London to learn, exchange and celebrate for German Unity Day 2024.
You are invited to participate in an exciting programme of events in London over the 3rd and 4th of October. Join a group of students from around the UK and Ireland in a half-day seminar led by a German cultural historian and take part in a graffiti workshop, an immersive digital experience and a celebration event hosted by the German Embassy London.
To take part, first have a go at a short quiz about the Berlin Wall and tell us about your interest in the topic and motivation to take part. For any questions, please write to: events.london@daad.de
Please note:
- Priority will be given to students who did not grow up in Germany.
- German language skills are not required.
- Students on any course are welcome to apply, although you should be able to demonstrate an interest in modern German history, politics, or culture.
Deadline for applications is the 15th of July 2024.
03.10.24
The programme will kick off with an evening hosted by the German Embassy London celebrating street art as well as music from late 80s and 90s Berlin at a venue in Leake Street Arches, London’s largest legal graffiti tunnel.
04.10.24
Seminar:
Together with students from other UK and Irish universities, you will have the chance to take part in a half-day seminar exploring the historical, social, and cultural aspects of divided Germany and the reunification process. The seminar will be led by historian of modern German history, Dr Hanno Balz and will take place in an exciting venue in the heart of London including an immersive experience.
Dr Balz will provide an overview of the history of the Berlin Wall and the division of Germany, before going on to consider related questions from various perspectives. Through an interactive workshop which encourages discussion with other students and across subject boundaries, you will touch on aspects of memory culture, the function of political symbols in collective memory and the impact of artistic movements to consider the nature of borders then and now.
Dr Hanno Balz has published extensively on the history of the West-German militant group “the Red Army Faction” and works broadly on European social movements from the 1960s to the 1980s and on political symbolism. He was previously the DAAD subject lecturer for Modern European History at the University of Cambridge.
Graffiti and immersive experience:
The day will also involve a graffiti session led by Leake Street Arches’ artist in residence. You will have the chance to take part in a guided workshop, where you will be shown graffiti techniques and try out painting in the arches.
The academic workshop will be taking place in AURES, a digital art space, and will include a specially created immersive experience showcasing the history of the Berlin Wall.
Accommodation will be provided for students from outside London for two nights (3rd and 4th of October) in a central London hotel.
Travel costs of the return journey to London will be covered (subject to Terms & Conditions).
