A conversation with eyewitnesses Christine and Martin Bartels
How does family shape our view of freedom, solidarity and democracy? In this conversation with eyewitnesses, Christine Bartels and her son Martin Bartels talk about their life in East Berlin – right next to the Berlin Wall on Brunnenstraße, with a daily view of the border between East and West.
Image gallery
Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer
Christine was active in the peace and environmental movements in the GDR and experienced first-hand how important courage, community and dialogue are for social change. Her son Martin was twelve years old when the Wall fell – and suddenly found himself living out his youth in a completely new world.
Together, mother and son discuss how political upheavals change families, how democracy begins in everyday life, and why memories of the GDR, the fall of the Wall and the period of transformation remain important for families even today.
A cross-generational conversation about childhood, freedom, family and the question: How is the future shaped?
- For families with children aged 8 and over
- The discussion will take place as part of Family Night 2026.
Additional information
Dates
October 2026
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