 |
|
 |
|
||
|
Note of Welcome It is a distinct pleasure for Meridian House International, in cooperation with the German Historical Museum and the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, to present in the United States the exhibition "Breakthrough: The Fight for Freedom at the Berlin Wall." During the nearly thirty years that the Wall divided the great city of Berlin, it was a symbol of repression and divisivness and the closed philosophy of communism. With its destruction in 1989, it has become instead a symbol of freedom and of the end of the Cold War. This exhibition, which presents the history of the Wall from beginning to end, also tells a human story of individual triumph over tyranny on both sides of this ambominable barrier. It is particularly meaningful to have a segment of the original Wall on display - a silent witness to this unique struggle for liberty. Meridian is grateful to the Coca-Cola Company for its sponsorship of this exhibition. We also thank Lufthansa for its planning support and P & O Containers and United Airlines for additional support in bringing the exhibition to the United States. The exhibit is presented in cooperation with the German Embassy. Meridian also wishes to thank the German organizers of the exhibition: the German Historical Museum and its Director, Dr. Christoph Stölzl and the Curator of the Collection for Contemporary History, Dr. Helmut Trotnow; and the Museum at Checkpoint Charlie and its Director, Dr. Rainer Hildebrandt, as well as Mr. Hartmut Diessner and Mr. Hans Jürgen Dyck; as well as staffs of both museums. Special mention should be made of Mr. Ronald Münch, who produced the accompanying video, "Symbol of an Age". With the presentation and tour of "Breakthrough" in the United States, Meridian continues to pursue its mission of promoting international understanding through the exchange of people, ideas and the arts. Walter L. Cutler |
|
      |
||
|
||
