November 9, 2009
For Immediate Release

For more information: Jeff Packer (801) 863-8626, (801) 785-2936
University Marketing & Communications: Erin Spurgeon, (801) 863-6807
Written by: Erin Spurgeon (801) 863-6807

Twenty years ago Monday, the Berlin Wall came down. A symbol of the Cold War for nearly 30 years, the Wall literally and figuratively divided east from west. In protest, many West Berliners painted graffiti and political slogans on the wall. Others saw it as a blank canvas for artistic expression.

On Nov. 9, 1989, the wall fell, signaling the collapse of communism in East Germany that changed the face of Europe. In honor of this historical event, the UVU College of Humanities & Social Sciences, along with some 500 high school students from across the valley, will display and decorate a wall of their own – some 100 yards long – down UVU’s Hall of Flags.

“All over the world, people will be celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall, especially in Germany, and we’re trying to be part of that,” said event organizer and UVU German Assistant Professor Jeff Packer. “The theme for our activity is ‘Freedom without Walls.’ There are other walls that need to come down as well, so part of what we’re doing is helping to promote freedom from physical, political and emotional walls.”

As part of the commemoration, a student from East Germany who witnessed the fall will speak on her experience. The German consulate from Salt Lake City will also be addressing the group, as part of a series of presentations in the Sorensen Student Center that day. A Trabant, an East German car and icon of the German Democratic Party, will also be on display for photos in the Hall of Flags.

More information on the event is available by contacting Jeff Packer in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences at (801) 863-8626. This event is sponsored by the UVU German Club, the Department of Languages and the College of Humanities & Social Sciences.

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