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A True European Metropolis
Seventeen years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Berlin welcomes the world to the 2006 World Cup. On June 8th of that year, or one day before the official opening, the World Cup Opening Ceremony will take place in the German Capital. The Nation's Government and the Artist, André Heller, are in charge of the festivities, its theme being the hospitality of the reunified state.
Soccer fans from all over the world will congregate in the place that best represents peace and freedom, Berlin. However, it seems that this city is destined to be divided and then reunited. Since its origins, in the Spree River Valley, between the towns of Kopenick and Spandau, the cities of Colln on Spree Island and Berlin in Nordufer were founded. Afterwards, in 1432, they were officially united for the first time to form one single state. However, ten years later, they would be divided again and remain like that until 1709. Later, the city would become the political center of Brandenburg, Prusia and of the well known German Reich. Following its foundation in 1871, Berlin became the most important industrial and Culturel center in Germany. World War II destroyed most of the city. Until 1945, the name Berlin was a reminder of the aggressive policy of Nazi Germany and its consequences. The war made way for Germany to be separated from its capital, Berlin. The building of the Berlin Wall in 1961 became the visible symbol of such separation. |
