By Alvin Teo
EchoAlvin@gmail.com
It was constructed in 1961 and for the 28 years that it stood strong, the 140 km concrete wall split an entire nation into two, separating thousands of Germans.
The Berlin wall separated the communist East Germany from the Democratic West and represented the mutual fear and distrust between two opposing ideologies during the cold war period after World War 2.
On November 9th 1989 when a West German television channel announced that East Germany has opened it boarders to everyone, hordes of ecstatic East Germans passed through border checkpoints into West Germany. On June 13th 1990, the East German Military officially started dismantling the wall unifying the country once more.
The fall of the wall was a significant moment for many because it wasn’t only concrete blocks that we torn down. Symbolically it represented the fall of Soviet Russia and the triumph of Democracy.
The other side of the wall which East Germans saw for 28 years
Now a section of the wall consisting of 4 concrete panels has arrived in Singapore to remind all Singaporeans of its important role in history and its impact on human culture. However the wall isn’t kept in a museum hidden from those without an admission ticket. The Berlin Wall is closer than you might think.
Shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Mr Robert Hefner managed to secure 4 panels of the wall. 7 years ago Mr Hefner married MeiLi, a Singaporean, and started to visit Singapore regularly. Soon Mr and Mrs Hefner were thinking of a home for the wall instead of keeping it inside a warehouse. Their good friend Mr George Yeo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, then suggested exhibiting it at Bedok Reservoir. Being near Temasek Polytechnic it can inspire young Singaporeans who study there as well as mesmerize the many runners and joggers at the reservoir.
After visiting the site twice, Mr Hefner and MeiLi decided to loan the Wall to Singapore on a long-term basis and this is how the new attraction came to be at its current location.
The wall "is such an important part of history and culture and we want to share it with all the Singaporeans... we want to promote friendship and freedom”, said Mrs Hefner when asked why she decided to exhibited the wall in Singapore.
For Singaporeans who are not old enough to understand the significance of the Berlin Wall, they can still appreciate the wall for its artistic value.
The 4 concrete panels showcase 2 graffiti paintings done by a German artist called Dennis Kaun who, weeks before weeks before the fall of the wall, painted 2 kings called “the Kings of Freedom”.
The smiling king in red is the Jester King who represents happiness and joy.
The Jester King
The other king in blue is the Blindfold King which portrays the communist East German government who was blind to the people’s needs.
The architecture that houses and surrounds the 4 panels was the winning design submitted by three undergraduate architecture students from NUS back in 2008.
Mr Hefner, who saw the entire structure for the first time since its arrival in Singapore, had this to say, "I like it very much, I think it’s terrific!"
There are already plans to open up a Bistro near the wall to serve as an extension to the installation. Therefore residents, students and joggers can enjoy a meal while admiring the grandeur of the wall.
“The symbolism of that Wall is profound and we hope that the visitors will come here, will see it as an icon for reflection about history, about the human condition, about how we treat fellow human beings." Said Mr George Yeo during the unveiling ceremony of the Wall at Bedok Reservoir park.
EchoAlvin@gmail.com
It was constructed in 1961 and for the 28 years that it stood strong, the 140 km concrete wall split an entire nation into two, separating thousands of Germans.
The Berlin wall separated the communist East Germany from the Democratic West and represented the mutual fear and distrust between two opposing ideologies during the cold war period after World War 2.
The fall of the wall was a significant moment for many because it wasn’t only concrete blocks that we torn down. Symbolically it represented the fall of Soviet Russia and the triumph of Democracy.
The other side of the wall which East Germans saw for 28 years
Now a section of the wall consisting of 4 concrete panels has arrived in Singapore to remind all Singaporeans of its important role in history and its impact on human culture. However the wall isn’t kept in a museum hidden from those without an admission ticket. The Berlin Wall is closer than you might think.
Shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Mr Robert Hefner managed to secure 4 panels of the wall. 7 years ago Mr Hefner married MeiLi, a Singaporean, and started to visit Singapore regularly. Soon Mr and Mrs Hefner were thinking of a home for the wall instead of keeping it inside a warehouse. Their good friend Mr George Yeo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, then suggested exhibiting it at Bedok Reservoir. Being near Temasek Polytechnic it can inspire young Singaporeans who study there as well as mesmerize the many runners and joggers at the reservoir.
After visiting the site twice, Mr Hefner and MeiLi decided to loan the Wall to Singapore on a long-term basis and this is how the new attraction came to be at its current location.
The wall "is such an important part of history and culture and we want to share it with all the Singaporeans... we want to promote friendship and freedom”, said Mrs Hefner when asked why she decided to exhibited the wall in Singapore.
For Singaporeans who are not old enough to understand the significance of the Berlin Wall, they can still appreciate the wall for its artistic value.
The 4 concrete panels showcase 2 graffiti paintings done by a German artist called Dennis Kaun who, weeks before weeks before the fall of the wall, painted 2 kings called “the Kings of Freedom”.
The smiling king in red is the Jester King who represents happiness and joy.
The Jester King
The other king in blue is the Blindfold King which portrays the communist East German government who was blind to the people’s needs.
The architecture that houses and surrounds the 4 panels was the winning design submitted by three undergraduate architecture students from NUS back in 2008.
Mr Hefner, who saw the entire structure for the first time since its arrival in Singapore, had this to say, "I like it very much, I think it’s terrific!"
There are already plans to open up a Bistro near the wall to serve as an extension to the installation. Therefore residents, students and joggers can enjoy a meal while admiring the grandeur of the wall.
“The symbolism of that Wall is profound and we hope that the visitors will come here, will see it as an icon for reflection about history, about the human condition, about how we treat fellow human beings." Said Mr George Yeo during the unveiling ceremony of the Wall at Bedok Reservoir park.
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