Berlin's 1961 Escape Through Sewers: A Historical Reflection
On August 13, 1961, as the Berlin Wall was being erected, two West Berliners, Detlef and Dieter, listened to the radio in the south of the city. The article reflects on the ambivalent nature of escape helpers (Fluchthelfer) in the context of the 65th anniversary of the Wall's construction. Some escape helpers have been honored with the Federal Cross of Merit, while others are left to drown in the Mediterranean. The piece draws a parallel to a 1929 prophecy by Russian poet Daniil Charms, who imagined an engineer building a massive brick wall across Petersburg overnight, secretly, to surprise everyone. The article is by Karsten Laske and appears in the current issue of Der Freitag, a German weekly newspaper.
Key facts
- The Berlin Wall was constructed starting August 13, 1961.
- Detlef and Dieter were in West Berlin listening to the radio on that day.
- The article discusses the mixed reputation of escape helpers.
- Some escape helpers received the Federal Cross of Merit.
- Others are criticized for their role in Mediterranean migration.
- Daniil Charms, a Russian poet, wrote a prophecy in 1929 about a wall built across Petersburg.
- The article is published in Der Freitag, a German weekly.
- The author is Karsten Laske.
Entities
Artists
- Daniil Charms
Institutions
- Der Freitag
Locations
- Berlin
- West Berlin
- Petersburg