German Reunification: 20 years on

Twilight Talk: 13 October 2010

The events which reunited Germany have, for nearly 80 million people, been a huge historical turning point. For those who knew Germany as two divided states, this evening offered the opportunity to reflect on the changes which have taken place over the past 20 years. Those who were too young to remember the ‘Wende’ itself, had the chance to develop an understanding of the history of the two German states and the reunification process.

Chaired by newly appointed Professor of German, Robert Vilain, this well-attended talk heard personal and professional accounts from a number of UOB staff. Holger Laux, Katja Fisch and Jonas Langner offered subjective accounts of growing up in divided Germany, while Dr Mark Allinson, Dr Debbie Pinfold and Professor Michelle Cini spoke of their experiences, both academic and personal, of this key event in German history.

The memory of reunification is often associated with the collapse of socialism in the GDR and the opening of the Stasi records. The insights and perspectives shared this evening, however, afforded a much more informed and personal understanding of this event. One must certainly not underestimate the economic and political ramifications, however, by providing us with an insight into their experiences and memories, the speakers helped us to understand the events of 1989 and 1990 in a much clearer, more personal and more insightful light.

Reunification has not always been an easy process for either state and many cultural sources suggest that the topic remains very much in the fore of German consciousness. However, casting a glance forward to the coming decades, the formation of a united German identity is a procedure which promises to yield great cultural benefits. The recognition by the School of Modern Languages of this year’s celebration highlights not only the importance of reunification, but also the commitment of this department to contemporary issues, both at home and abroad.

Matthew Linehan, The Graduate School of Arts and Humanities