The heartbeat song of Berlin

The heartbeat song of Berlin

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Zuzanna

Zuzanna

There are stories of the past, present, and future of the capital of Germany. From a divided city to global capital.

Berlin, Berlin. It is a city that will leave a strong impression on you. The capital of Germany is a place that holds many stories on the surface for you to explore. There are stories of the past, present, and future, stories of former tragedies and modern tolerance. From a divided city to global capital.

brandenburg-gate

Are you familiar with the song “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra? That was a rhetorical question. Of course, you are! But did you know that there is a track that sounds exactly the same but tells a story about another world-famous city? Harald Juhnke, a German actor, comedian, and singer got inspired by Sinatra, kept the ear-catching melody, and created his own version called “Berlin, Berlin”. Let’s look into his view of one of the biggest cities on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean…

“I would go on foot,

just to see you,

Because I belong to you alone,

Berlin, Berlin”

Berlin will enchant you, especially when you are getting to know it on foot. Take a long stroll from Alexanderplatz, go past the Brandenburg Gate, walk through the Tiergarten and pass by the Elephant Gate. By following this long path through the heart of the city, you are going to discover its amazing character, experience unity in diversity. Berlin is a place that seamlessly combines art, culture, history, education, tourism, and business. Past, present, and future – all in one place.

“Whatever happened to you,

for me you are beautiful,

I am and remain a part of you,

Berlin, Berlin”

Berlin will remind you of important moments in history. During the Second World War, Berlin was subjected to over 360 air raids, which led to the massive destruction of the city center. The damage caused by the war is still visible, you just have to keep an eye open. One of the obvious examples is the ruins of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, which was heavily damaged in an Allied bombing in 1943. After the war, the damaged spire of the church has been retained and its ground floor made into a memorial hall, as a reminder of the past events. Throughout the years it has become a famous landmark of western Berlin, known to its citizens as “der hohle Zahn”, which translates to “the hollow tooth”.

The heartbeat song of Berlin kaiser wilhelm memorial church g9c05de0d8 1920

“They say of you,

you are a very nice big city,

which also today in this time,

still has a heart”

Berlin will exceed your expectations. Take a look at it from above, enjoy its stunning panorama from the viewing platform at the Berlin Television Tower. It can hardly go unnoticed as it is the highest building in the city! Inaugurated in 1969 as a symbol of communist power, it took an entirely new significance into a citywide symbol of a reunited Berlin. Due to its universal and timeless design, it is identified worldwide with the capital. It gives a view out across the entire city – and beyond!

“The suffering is over,

you are free again,

the whole world likes to come to you,

Berlin, Berlin”

Berlin will draw your attention with its iconic landmarks. Nearly 14 million visitors annually get attracted by its magnetic sights. The first association that comes to your mind thinking about Berlin is probably the Brandenburg Gate. It is located in the centre of the city, therefore, it is an ideal starting point for many activities. This 18th-century neoclassical monument was built on the site of a former city gate that marked the start of the road from Berlin to the town of Brandenburg. Its construction was commissioned by the Prussian king Frederick Wilhelm II who was looking for a suitable architectural statement to enhance the approach into the Boulevard Unter den Linden. This impressively large gate is a sandstone masterpiece with a design inspired by the Propylaea in Athens’ Acropolis. Throughout its existence, it was often a site for major historical events and is today considered not only as a symbol of the city but also of European unity and peace.

The heartbeat song of Berlin memorial tablet for the berlin wall 2021 08 26 18 12 09 utc

“(…) Berlin, Berlin (…),

Joy and pain,

we experience here,

here only with you”

Berlin will take you on a travel back in time, on a way back to remember. Visit the East Side Gallery, an outdoor exhibition presented on the former border strip on the East Berlin part of the city. Take a moment and contemplate at the monument dedicated to the memory of the divided capital and the victims of communist tyranny. You may not feel like it at first, but I highly recommend you to discover another part of the Wall. It is a complete change of scenery and will generate different emotions in you. Amaze yourself with a 1,3-meters-long open-air gallery on the banks of the Spree river. The East Side Gallery presents more than a hundred paintings related to the political changes in 1989/90. Keep them in mind as well.

“My song of the city,

who only has friends,

in this way, I express my thanks,

Berlin, Berlin”

Berlin will make you stay longer…, or never leave! It’s a city easy to love that makes you feel globally connected. Much of what happens in Berlin has an impact on the world and much of what happens in the world affects Berlin. They have a mutual influence on each other. Experience it for yourself and go visit the exhibition “Berlin Global” at the Humbolt Forum. It is a contemporary look at the city and its worldwide connections presented in seven individual thematic rooms. The focus lies on questions such as: what goes from Berlin into the world? What affected the city? Or how do we want to shape it in the future? “Berlin Global” invites you to become active – critically engage with the content, form your opinions and enter into an exchange with others.

The heartbeat song of Berlin the heart of berlin after sunset 2021 08 26 18 12 14 utc

“I can’t go anywhere else,

be so happy and glad,

so I stay here with you,

Berlin, Berlin”

Song translation

Berlin will give you a feeling, you found your home. Whether it’s by getting to know it on foot or from the sky, through art or history, Berlin is going to find its way to your heart. It will make you feel like you belong like you found your place in the world.

Enjoy it to the fullest by booking one of 212 fully furnished apartments at the most international student accommodation in the German capital: THE FIZZ Berlin! Become a part of a unique community and start living all-inclusive in the city of dreams…

All photo rights by International Campus GmbH.