Berlin and its heritage

Berlin appears as a proactive city in terms of its use of heritage as a tool in the strategy for development. Cornelia Dümcke explains how.

In this interview, she gives the example of a major project: the Humboldt forum, which aims to become one the main museums in the world. It will be established in a reconstructed version of the City Castle or Palace. This building, which dates back to the 15th century, was demolished in 1950 by the German Democratic authorities. At that time, Germany, as well as the city of Berlin, were divided in two separate entities: the East and the West. After the reunification of the country in 1990, the decision was taken to reconstruct the City Palace. This example shows how the City of Berlin manages to draw in its heritage of the past to project itself in the present and the future.

Cornelia Dümcke also explains the challenges and dilemmas of heritage in Berlin, especially with regards to the symbolic connection of the city formerly divided by the Berlin Wall.