Economist Podcasts Persistence of division: after the Berlin Wall
Nov 8, 2019
Tom Nuttall, Berlin Bureau Chief for The Economist, sheds light on the enduring divides between East and West Germany, reflecting on the unfulfilled promises of reunification. Meanwhile, Tom Gardner, the Addis Ababa correspondent, shares inspiring stories from Ethiopia's Somali region, highlighting a remarkable political transformation and the hopeful narratives emerging from past repression. They also touch on the unconventional efforts of China’s national football team to enhance performance through foreign talent, revealing the complex dynamics of sports identity in the country.
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Accidental Opening
- Anne McElvoy witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall firsthand.
- She describes the scene at a press conference with Gunther Schabowski, where his accidental announcement opened the border.
Freedom to Travel
- Cornelia Gunther, born in East Germany, describes the profound impact of the wall's fall.
- She emphasizes her newfound freedom to travel, a long-held wish.
Mixed Experiences
- German Chancellor Angela Merkel acknowledges that reunification wasn't universally positive.
- Some East Germans experienced it as a success, while others felt victimized.