Freitag Column Reflects on Time, Memory, and Solar Eclipses

In a personal column for the German newspaper der Freitag, Barbara Schweizerhof reflects on the nature of time and memory, prompted by the recent solar eclipse. She notes that the eclipse was somewhat disappointing from her West balcony due to a neighboring roof blocking the view at the crucial moment. This leads her to recall the more spectacular eclipse of August 1999, which she remembers with surprising clarity. Schweizerhof discusses the 'telescoping effect' as described by memory researchers, where perceived time and actual time often diverge. She shares her experience of first visiting Berlin when the Wall seemed to have been there for an eternity, and now, since its fall, time has passed differently. The column touches on themes of memory, the passage of time, and personal history, set against the backdrop of Berlin's transformation from the Wall's construction to the post-reunification era. The piece is part of the 'Endlich Freitag' series, offering a reflective look at the day and the week's events.