The fragment of the Berlin Wall in Europos Parkas 

fragment of the Berlin Wall in Europos Parkas

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall the German Embassy together with the Goethe Institute in Lithuania gave the city of Vilnius a unique gift – a fragment of the Berlin Wall.

On 9 November 2009 a fragment of the Berlin Wall was mounted and opened in Europos Parkas. The opening ceremony was attended by the German Ambassador in Lithuania Hans-Peter Annen, the Deputy Vilnius Mayor Vidmantas Martikonis, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Audronius Ažubalis, representatives of the project organisers, press representatives and a large number of guests.

A united Europe, independence and community of its countries are the most important things that the remains of the Berlin Wall remind us of today. Fragments of the Wall can also be found in other cities of Europe and the rest of the world: New York (USA), Paris (France), Kiev (Ukraine), Hamburg (Germany), Cincinnati (USA), Marseilles (France).

After regaining of Independence, Europos Parkas, which is situated near Vilnius, demonstrates opening of Lithuania for European art and culture. Europos Parkas, being among the first ones to invite artists from all over the world to come to Lithuania, started “tearing down Berlin walls” in the field of culture and became a symbol of new thinking and a bridge between different cultures. A fragment of the Berlin Wall will stand in the park of sculptures symbolising a united Europe and will remind future generations how fragile the freedom is.

The project has been initiated by Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Lithuania, Goethe-Institut Vilnius and Vilnius City Municipality and sponsored by „Göllner Spedition“. This project is part of the national programme Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009.