News from Berlin

German Embassy to Open in Prague for Commemoration of 1989 Exodus

June 12th, 2014
German Embassy in Prague_Writer.jpg

News from Berlin - The German Foreign Ministry confirmed that a German Embassy in Prague will open to the public Thursday, June 12th. The opening coincides with the 25th anniversary of the 1989 exodus, where a massive wave of refugees from East Germany escaped to West Germany through the embassy.

About 4,000 East Germans found refuge in the garden of the Baroque Lobkowicz Palace, the embassy's seat, in 1989. East Germany eventually agreed that its citizens could leave for West Germany.

On the morning of June 12th, the embassy will be open to schools, and in the afternoon the general public is welcomed. Visitors can discuss the events of 1989 events with Mr. and Mrs. Mahlke, who were among the East German refugees 25 years ago, Waltraud Schroeder from the German Red Cross, who cooked meals for the refugees, and Rudolf Seiters, who took part in the negotiations on the departure of the refugees to West Germany.

Within the accompanying cultural program, Czech writer Jaroslav Rudiš, known for his book ‘The Sky under Berlin’ and the Alois Nebel trilogy, and artist David Černý, whose sculpture of a walking Trabant car can be seen in the embassy's garden, will give presentations on the topic.

News from Berlin - Berlin Global