20 Years of Change -- The Berlin Days in New York March 31, 2009

In 1989 the Berlin Wall fell – a historic event that echoed around the world as East Germany became part of the free world. Two decades later, a changing Berlin has become not only a thriving business hub but a cultural and creative hotspot for the ages.

In late March, New York City will play host to 20 Years of Change, The Berlin Days in New York and the global launch of the be Berlin campaign, celebrating the German capital’s transformation and cultural contributions in fashion, art and design, and film.

New Yorkers are invited to be to participate in Bricks to Berlin, an interactive exhibit of artist-designed brick forms to be signed by the New York creative community, famous personalities and the public with messages of hope, unity and freedom. The public is encouraged to visit The New Museum from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Tuesday, March 31 to sign the bricks and send a message to Berlin.

From New York, the exhibit will travel worldwide, stopping in Paris, Shanghai, Istanbul and other global cities before concluding in Berlin. More than 1,000 bricks with messages and artwork from around the world will be assembled at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to recreate the historic Berlin Wall and then symbolically torn down in a one-of-a-kind reenactment at the center of planned ceremonies on November 9, 2009 to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall.