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April 24th 2024
During the Easter holiday many History and German pupils embarked on a trip to Berlin. Upon arrival, an informative city tour provided a brief summary of the history of Berlin, highlighting key landmarks such as the university where over 20,000 books were burned in 1933 and the sobering remnants of the Berlin Wall. This created a general understanding of the long and turbulent history of Germany, setting the stage for a week of profound learning.
Day two took the pupils to Sachsenhausen, a former Nazi concentration camp. The somber atmosphere resonated deeply, forcing the pupils to confront the horrific realities of the Nazi regime during the Holocaust. Touring the memorial and museum painted a vivid picture of the camp's brutality and, although it was emotional, it was extremely informative and useful for pupils to see where the, mainly political, prisoners were kept. Their next stop, Hohenschönhausen, was a Stasi prison, turned memorial. Here, a powerful speaker shaped their imaginations, bringing history to life so that they could imagine the harsh realities faced by political prisoners under communist rule.
The Berlin Wall Memorial on day three demanded the group's physical and emotional presence. They walked along the graffiti-laden remnants - each artistic, political statement was so detailed. They then journeyed to the Wannsee Conference Hall. This beautiful building has a rich history, being the meeting place of 14 men who changed the course of action for several social groups affected by the Nazi regime, signing off on their ultimate elimination. The museum enabled pupils to understand how much power the men that met there had over millions of people.
Their exploration of Berlin's dark past continued on day four with the Jewish Museum. Its powerful architecture mirrored the harrowing experiences endured by Jewish people under Nazi persecution. The Berlin Story Museum, through its interactive timeline, offered a view of the city's rich history. Finally, the Topography of Terror, situated on the former Gestapo headquarters, emphasised the importance of learning from past atrocities. To lighten the mood, they ended the day with some well-deserved shopping and a fun dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.
The final day culminated with a trip to the Reichstag building. While they couldn't reach the top and look into the parliamentary chamber, the views were incredible. Standing within these walls, where pivotal decisions were made, instilled a sense of awe for Germany's democratic journey.
The entire trip was an enriching, immersive experience that brought German history, culture, and language to life.
