Berlin: what can be done after the anger.

Published on January 10, 2017

Pia

"The memorial church stands as a most powerful symbol of Berlin against war and destruction, for peace and freedom.  With the Christmas market at its base I connect to earliest childhood memories; my first time there I rode in a carousel and ferris wheel and gazed from high upon the city lights.  I am sad and stunned about the many deaths and about the attack upon my free Berlin."  

Amélie

“Berlin, Berlin, a city, which receives me, accomodates me, opens itself to me.  Berlin gives me its love, its streets populated with solid and lasting friendships; a city, the fireworks lighting up the night sky, in order to celebrate the immense joy which we feel is permitted here.  In these quarters, where the zest for life is untamed.  Berlin is a city of human greatness.  This does not necessarily apply to the Kilometer,  but rather the way Berliners live together; multi-culturalism in Kreuzberg, the warmth of the Christmas market, a sunrise on the Oberbaum bridge, a winter sun on Herman street, the large door of the Barfrauen, freedom of the party attendees, the kindness of the after hours vendors, the welcoming of our friends, when we are not even there.  Should we pick up the clues here?  Yes, right here.  Everyone at home for a weekend, a month, four and a half years.  Berliner, Turk, Iranian, French, Afghani, Pakistani, Chinese.  Ethiopian, Norweigen, Indian, Australian, Muslim- you are all here.  Cheers Berlin, my beauty, I drink to you just like I love you, I celebrate you like I celebrate life.”  

Christiane

“Last night I was with my coworkers at our annual Christmas party in Wedding.  On the way home one could already read the first death notices.  Arriving at home, at first, I wanted to say nothing.  My friend had still not realized anything and I could not bring myself to say: ‘Did you hear what happened?’  I wanted to preserve the peace before the media insanity crashed down upon us.  Like what one naturally did.  So is life in the year 2016: checking news channels from Great Britain, Portugal and Germany, occasionally sending Facebook and Whatsapp messages to friends all over the world.  Many had even called and it was lovely to hear their voices from France, Italy, Colombia and Portugal and to speak about God and the world.  We ought to listen to ourselves more often and not wait on the next shocking news report.”  

Julia

"Since 5 in the morning I heard the radio, regular updates on the news ticker, before looking on Twitter and Facebook.  And my disbelief yields to anger.  I cannot grasp that this attack has actually happened.  It was unbelievable.  My sudden untameable urge to move drives me out of the house and I walk around the block.  But the anger doesn’t let me simply run away.  This state of anger never ceases.  At present I wish that it wasn’t even possible, above all, because I don’t know what comes after the anger."

Translated from Berlin: Was wohl nach der Wut kommt