Throughout history, borders have always represented civilization’s most problematic issues, and there have been deadly borders, such as the one between East Germany and West Germany complete with countless mines, barbed wire fences, watch towers, and guards. Numerous people died trying to cross this no man’s land between the two countries. In 1989, unification opened the border. The land was cleared and left to itself, and over time, nature reclaimed and transformed what was once a long death strip into a green zone of national parks. This program is sponsored by the Arizona Humanities Council.
Dr. Albrecht Classen, distinguished professor of German Studies from the University of Arizona, will present, “From the Deadly East German Border into National Parks: Life Returns and Defies all Borders.” This Arizona Humanities Council sponsored event celebrates the coming of Spring and the re-greening of life everywhere, especially in Germany where in 1989, after 28 years of conflict, East and West Germany were unified. The border was opened, cleared, and left alone. Over time the land transformed itself from a death strip into a green zone, a new habitat where nature has energetically returned. Today, national parks have replaced the deadly no man’s land.
