Magnum Editions: Berlin, Germany after the fall of the wall on Sunday, 31 December, 1989

Guy Le Querrec was in Berlin shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. The initially simple structure which had, over decades, grown into a sprawling and militarized ‘death strip’, symbolised the Cold War and, to many, the Soviet hold over portions of Europe. With the wall’s fall, Berlin and its inhabitants found themselves unified once more, and a period of festivity ensued. Le Querrec wrote of the period that followed, “A few days after the fall of the Berlin Wall, joy and enthusiasm were continuous. The euphoria grew even greater on New Year’s Eve. A very dense human tide had gathered around the Brandenburg Gate: warmth, embraces here and there … In this incessant frenzy, tears blended with laughter. People of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities were becoming closer as the fireworks and squibs exploded relentlessly. Champagne was flowing… I glimpsed, hidden by a row of shrubs, a young couple sitting astride the top of the wall. They were surrendering to this intimate and peaceful moment to love each other and celebrate this new freedom.” The image captures the newfound freedom and openness which permeated the city after unification.