From Its Construction to the Fall of the Berlin Wall (1961–1989)
To mark the 65th anniversary of the construction of the Berlin Wall, the Berlin State Archives is presenting exclusive archival footage of one of the most defining chapters in German history.
Image gallery
Mauerbau 1961
Previously unpublished contemporary footage from the film collection traces the events from the construction to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Many of these unique historical recordings are part of the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
Historian Jens Schöne, Archive Director Sven Kriese, and author and Berlin expert Michael Bienert will each provide historical context for the film clips. During a subsequent panel discussion, the historical film sources will be linked to the personal perspectives of the three eyewitnesses. Afterward, we invite you to a small reception.
When: August 7, 2026, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Location: Berlin State Archives, Eichborndamm 115–121, 13403 Berlin, Event Hall
Please register by August 6, 2026, at: info@landesarchiv.berlin.de
Participation is free of charge.
Program
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Carmen Schwietzer:
Welcome, introduction, and moderation
Dr. Jens Schöne:
The Construction of the Wall
Sven Kriese:
Life in a Divided Berlin
Michael Bienert:
The Fall of the Wall
Panel Discussion
Closing reception with wine and pretzels
The event is being held in cooperation with the Berlin Commissioner for Coming to Terms with the SED Dictatorship and the Ernst Reuter Archive Foundation.
#mauerbau65
Additional information
Dates
August 2026
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