The Message of the Reichstag: May 15th Field Question
There are several historical references within the Reichstag. The most glaringly obvious is the segments of pre-war wall within the building. These walls are covered in burns, bullet holes, general battle damage, and most importantly, Soviet graffiti. Naturally, this was not out of laziness; it serves a symbolic purpose, displaying the history of the building, the city, and the country. The Reichstag also houses a collection of art. Like the decision to keep the soviet graffiti, the art is also symbolic. The most notable of the pieces within the building is the re-painted segments of the Berlin wall by Ben Wagin. Like the pre-war walls, it shows the troubled past of the country, however, despite the strife, the country still managed to overcome and thrive. Embracing their history, but becoming one of the most modern, powerful, and beautiful countries in the world.
2 comments:
I found it interesting that there was so much soviet graffiti sprayed on that original Wall considering that the Reichstag was not really a relevant political building during World War II. Why do you think that so many soviet soldiers considered "taking over the Reichstag" to be the key moment leading to victory in World War II?
I feel it was more of a symbolic victory rather than a practical one. The Reichstag was the seat of the German parliamentary process, the centre of the German decision making process; it was in a sense the icon of Germany (even though it was no longer used for government or political purposes).
In that sense, it was for lack of a better term, the Russian's giving the middle finger to the German opposition. Storming it, taking it, covering it in graffiti and hoisting their flag on top of it was essentially them saying "look what did to one of the most important symbols within your country".
So yeah, rambling aside, it was an attempt to conquer the hearts, minds, and morale of the German people. It was a sign that they had dominated their enemies.
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