World Freedom Day has been designated in 2001 by then US President George W. Bush to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The date is not so much about the wall itself though, but more about what it symbolised: the end of communism in both Central and Eastern Europe.
This special day was created to celebrate the reunification of loved ones separated by the Iron Curtain and differing ideologies between West and East Germany after the Second World War. The day ultimately serves to acknowledge that the resolve of the masses can shift boundaries, break unfavourable resolutions and ultimately determine the type of leadership they desire so as to live in a freer, more fair society.

In many parts of the world, freedom is something that is taken for granted as people there have experienced freedom in all of their lives. If you don’t know what it means to be afraid to voice your opinion, then you can consider yourself very lucky to live in a place where liberty is a priority as well as a basic human right.
Unfortunately though, there are many, many places in the world where these freedoms are not available to most people, who are rather forced to live empty, unfulfilling lives so the rulers of their countries don’t have them thrown in jail or even worse.
It is important that we understand this and that we look for ways to make changes.

And like all good things, liberty should be celebrated, and that’s what World Freedom Day is all about.

One particularly good way to celebrate the day is the Berlin Festival of Lights, during which every year the city becomes the world’s largest open-air gallery: The most important landmarks, buildings and squares shining in sensational projections, with magical 3D video shows and impressive light installations the city is transformed into a gigantic stage, telling stories that move: expressive, emotional, surprising.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The festival connects cultures and people all over the world, easily overcoming borders and continents – light speaks all languages.