7 May 2012
Your Tax Dollars At War 2012

7 May 2012
Minnesota Police Drugging Occupy Protesters (the DRE Program at Peavey Plaza)

The Fall of the Berlin Wall was a unique event that mobilised public opinion across Europe. It inspired strong emotions, including optimism for change. The 20th Anniversary of this event marks the coming of age of a generation, which has grown up in a Europe that is whole and free. This is also the 5th anniversary of EU-10 Enlargement, and with this enlargement, Europe became truly re-united in peace and security.

In Poland, the video has been criticised for a lack of focus on events there in 1989 with no mention of the Polish round table talks and the election of the first non-communist government in the Eastern bloc, or any reference to Polish-born Pope John Paul II who inspired opposition to communism.

Bulgaria are also unhappy, as they are the only EU member from Eastern Europe not included in the video, which lacks any reference to either events in Bulgaria in 1989, or the most recent EU enlargement including Bulgaria and Romania in 2007.

An EC spokesman responded to criticism of the video with the claim that it is an ‘artistic video’, adding that ‘this is not a historical programme, this is not a documentary’.

Author of the movie is Dr Kelly Hignett - a researcher in East European history and international relations focusing primarily on communist and post-communist Eastern Europe.

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EU Europe History Democracy Open Border Liberty Berlin Wall Fall Iron Curtain Celebration Birthday 1989 communism communist regime

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Politics, Good news, Celebrations

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Berlin Wall