The View from the Gate
Neil MacGregor, director of the British Museum, begins his series examining 600 years of German history through with a reflection on Germany's floating frontiers.
Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, begins his series examining 600 years of German history through objects, with a reflection on Germany's floating frontiers.
Twenty-five years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, which led to the reunified modern Germany, Neil visits the Brandenburg Gate.
In November 1989 the East Berlin crowds gathered there and cheered and then poured into West Berlin as the Berlin Wall fell and the world changed. It was there in July 2014 that a huge crowd celebrated Germany's victory in the World Cup in Brazil. In 1950 the first major demonstration was held there to protest against Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe: the crowd pulled down the red flag that flew over the Brandenburg Gate and demanded free elections. And in 1806 Napoleon made his triumphal entry into Berlin through the Brandenburg Gate, after humiliating the Prussian army.
From this focal point of modern Germany, Neil begins a 30 part series which reveals the profound influence of Germany's history, culture and inventiveness across Europe, as well as the catastrophic events of the 20th century.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
You are at the first episode
Next
Clip
-
The Brandenburg Gate
Duration: 01:08
Napoleon riding through the Brandenburg Gate
Β© Deutsches Historisches Museum
Broadcasts
- Mon 29 Sep 2014 09:45Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 FM
- Mon 29 Sep 2014 19:45Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Tue 30 Sep 2014 00:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Featured in...
Germany: history and culture—Germany: Memories of a Nation
A collection of Radio 4 programmes about Germany.
Made in Germany: the stories of 10 fascinating objects
See photos and videos of this diverse collection of products and sculptures.
10 reasons we know Germans love beer and sausages
Beer riots and sausage snacks demonstrate a devotion to the national diet.
10 things you may not know about Germany
Degenerate art and other facts from this fascinating nation.
Podcast
-
Germany: Memories of a Nation
Neil MacGregor explores 600 years of Germany's complex and often challenging history.