Brentwoodian 2019

18 Berlin The IB and A Level Germanists, together with Mr Walton and Mrs Hall, left for the exciting city of Berlin. However, the extended weekend abroad was more than a holiday, and the three days were an exploration of the city’s culture, language and history. It is fair to say that we were all struck by the idiosyncratic duality of the city. The complex relationship between the country’s past and present was hauntingly present, and the city’s contemporary history seemed to live in every street. Our trip was punctuated with Mr Walton’s seemingly limitless knowledge, and these details brought our understanding of German culture into sharp focus. Our first visit was to the former Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, which was a work camp primarily for political prisoners situated just outside of Berlin. As soon as we arrived we were all taken by the sobering, sombre atmosphere. Mr Walton delivered a fantastic tour in German, which was a stimulating yet rewarding academic experience for all of us. The horrific living conditions had been preserved, and as we walked past the sleeping barracks and through the sandy square for roll call, the Holocaust seemed more tangible, and more than simply a topic for the classroom. Our walking tour of the Holocaust memorial later that day was an equally moving experience. The memorial is made up of concrete slabs varying in size, and walking through the maze-like memorial was a disjointed, disorientating experience. We all came away with slightly varying interpretations, but we all felt humbled by the events of the day. During our trip, the history of Berlin was brought to life. However, cultural activities were seamlessly blended alongside historical excursions, and we also learnt much about the dynamic character and culture of the city. In the evening of the first day we enjoyed a whimsical Cabaret Performance at the charming Chamäleon Theater. Cabarets were a defining feature of Berlin in the 1920s, and characterised a period of high living and vibrant urban life. None of us had any idea of what to expect, but the performance surpassed our imaginations. It was a cultural wonder, with breathtaking acrobatics, a stunning visual language and sharp wit. The next evening, after dinner at the Sony Centre, we were treated to a wonderful but very strange German opera at the Komische Oper. Our cultural experiences were nothing short of fantastical. The second day was packed to the brim with historical activities, focused mainly on the post- holocaust era of German history. We started with a guided tour, again in German, around the remains of the Berlin Wall. After lunch in Alexanderplatz, the former hub of East Germany, we visited the Kulturbrauerei for an exhibition on life in the GDR. All of these experiences enhanced our historical understanding of a city fractured by the Cold War, and reinforced my understanding of the critical position of the city in global politics. We then visited the Film Museum in Potsdamer Platz, which for me was a cultural highlight, and after watching an opera we took a tour around the Reichstag Building, where the German Parliament meets. As we walked around the Dome we were treated to 360 degree views of the Berlin skyline, and after our day of exploring Berlin’s past, "During our trip, the history of Berlin was brought to life." I looked out to see a city with a complex and strained history. The backdrop of the Reichstag Building held particular significance as it is an optimistic political image of German reunification, yet the course of the day still played on my mind. The political situation both nationally and globally is charging towards a future of uncertainty, and the city of Berlin is a historical melting pot of how all of these forces have played out in the past, with terrible consequences. We need to learn from the city’s lessons. On the last day, we visited the East Side Gallery, which was an exciting display of historical art, followed by a tour of the Stasi Museum and lunch at the TV Tower, where we enjoyed 360 views of Berlin again, only this time from an Eastern perspective. We all left Berlin with a profound understanding of history and culture, which could only have been achieved through the experiences which brought the city to life. After this trip, I believe that the only way to truly understand the nature of German history is to experience it firsthand. Our thanks go to Mr Walton and Mrs Hall, whose knowledge (and sense of fun!) made the trip such an immersive and enriching experience. By Ellen Fasham