How connected are Germans really 30 years after reunification? (Rebroadcast)

Nov. 9 marks 31 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. East and West Germany were officially reunited the following October, which the late Chancellor Helmut Kohl called a “dream come true." But the process of growing together brought trials and tribulations that sowed animosity between East and West Germans. Thirty years later, what does German unity look like? Host Sumi Somaskanda discusses the ups and downs of Germany's transformation. (This show first aired on Sept. 16.)

Show Notes

Nov. 9 marks 31 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall.  East and West Germany were officially reunited the following October, which the late Chancellor Helmut Kohl called a “dream come true." For East Germans in particular, the end of four decades of division meant access to new opportunity and freedoms, but the process of growing together brought trials and tribulations that sowed animosity between East and West Germans. Thirty years later, what does German unity look like?

Host Sumi Somaskanda discusses the ups and downs of Germany’s transformation with Anke Domscheit-Berg, parliamentarian for Die Linke (The Left Party), and historian Ned Richardson-Little from the University of Erfurt. We also hear from Ekkard Bäuerle, who moved from West to East Germany in the late 90s, and Valerie Schönian who was born after the fall of the Berlin Wall and is the author of the book, “Ostbewusstsein.”

This show was produced by Monika Müller-Kroll and Sumi Somaskanda. Voiceovers by Sylvia Cunningham and Caleb Larson.

What is Studio Berlin?

"Studio Berlin" is KCRW Berlin's weekly current affairs show delving into recent events and how they affect people in Germany's capital and beyond. Once a week, hosts Sumi Somaskanda and Sylvia Cunningham talk to experts, journalists and policymakers to make sense of the news that matters.