Outcry as barrier surrounds free U2 concert to mark 20th anniversary of fall of the notorious Wall
Outcry as barrier surrounds free U2 concert to mark 20th anniversary of fall of the notorious Wall
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The irony of the erection of a "wall" covered in white plastic sheeting almost identical to the colour of the wall that divided the German capital for almost 30 years was lost on no one.
"It's completely ridiculous that they are blocking the view," said Louis-Pierre Boily (23), who said he travelled to Berlin from Canada even though he failed to get tickets.
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Free-To-Air: Bono performs in front of the Brandenburg Gate last night. |
Significant start
The U2 event was seen by Germany as a deeply significant start to the festivities.
The band's poignant lyrics I have run, I have crawled, I have scaled these city walls were seen as full of political significance, speaking directly to the East-West German divide.
Bono, the lead singer of the band, toured the outside of the barrier yesterday to meet hundreds of fans who mobbed the area during a sound check.
One young fan summed up the mood of many by echoing US President Ronald Reagan's demand on the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. "Mr Bono tear down this wall," said Andreas Lintz, a 24-year old student.
For security reasons
MTV Europe, the organisers, issued a plea for those who had not got tickets to stay at home after predictions that 1 lakh people could turn up.
"The barrier is for security reasons and to contain the crowd, allowing the surrounding shops and restaurant continue trading," said Nicola Haake of MTV.
The climax of the Berlin Wall celebration will involve setting up over 1,000 dominoes around the German parliament building, the Reichstag.
They will trace the Berlin Wall through part of the centre of the city. At a signal from Chancellor Angela Merkel, the blocks will be toppled.
U2 & Tthe Wall
U2 is indelibly linked to the events of 1989. Lyrics of songs that exhorted people to "scale these city walls" evoked the revolutionary mood of the era.
The band made the album Achtung Baby in the city in 1990 and the song One is viewed as a tribute to German unification.
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