“Suffering and Freedom” – Wegner commemorates November 9

Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) urges people to keep the memory of history alive. (Archive photo)

Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner has described November 9 as a fateful day for Germany and for Berlin.

“It stands for the suffering that arises from hatred and exclusion—and for the power of freedom that can overcome walls,” said the CDU politician. “It reminds us of the incomprehensible suffering of the November pogroms of 1938—of the victims whose lives were destroyed by hatred and contempt for humanity.”

“And at the same time, it reminds us of November 9, 1989, when courageous citizens brought down the Berlin Wall with their desire for freedom and unity.” The entire spectrum of German history lies between these two moments, said Wegner. “Crime, guilt, hope, and reconciliation. We have a responsibility to keep the memory alive and to draw from our history a renewed commitment to an open, free, and humane society.”