Floating wall of light
On November 9, 1989, the wall which had divided Berlin for 28 years finally came down. As part of 25th anniversary celebrations, 8,000 illuminated balloons traced the path of the former border between East and West.
Floating wall of light
For three days, a light installation made up of 8,000 illuminated balloons will retrace the path where the Berlin Wall stood for 28 years. The lights will run from Bornholmer Strasse past the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and the East Side Gallery.
VIP visit
Mikhail Gorbachev came to opening of the installation at the former border crossing, Checkpoint Charlie, on Friday. The former president of the Soviet Union was responsible for the policy of glasnost, or openness, that ended the Cold War, which also lead to the reunification of Germany.
Historic place
The Bornholmer Strasse border between East and West was the first crossing where East German soldiers dared to open the gates and let citizens cross to the West. Today, visitors are able to stroll along the line of lights and remember the former path of the wall.
Along the river
The border through Berlin also ran along the Spree River. In the background is the Berlin TV Tower, formerly in East Berlin.
The vision
Brothers Christopher and Marc Bauder are the brains behind the installation. Their aim was to use a powerful visual device to recreate the emotional impact of the wall.
Brutal contrast
Many people are unaware that the border between East and West Germany ran so close to the Brandenburg Gate. It cut across Pariser Platz, now a major hub for tourists from all over the world.
Through the government district
The wall also ran directly in front of Germany's parliament building, the Bundestag. Since reunification, the area has seen the construction of numerous new government buildings.
Berlin's beloved Mauerpark
The strip of land where the wall once separated the eastern district of Prenzlauerberg from the West Berlin area of Wedding is now a park. In the summer, the Mauerpark (or Wall Park) becomes a meeting point for Berliners from all over the city, and tourists from all over the world.
Illuminated fraternal kiss
The East Side Gallery is a big hit with visitors to Berlin. It's the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall, and is covered in paintings by artists from around the world. The balloons will also illuminate the fraternal kiss between Russian leader Leonid Brezhnev and Germany's Erich Honecker.
High technology
The white balloons, illuminated by little interior lights, are 60 centimeters in diameter and mounted on 2.5-meter (8 foot) poles.
Balloon sponsors
Berliners were invited to be involved in the project and to act as sponsors for the balloons. Each sponsor had the task of releasing "their" balloon into the sky on the evening of November 9.