Berlin Wall @ Bedok Res LQ

Click here for PDF copy of "Piercing together the Berlin Wall" Instructor Resource.

Click here for PDF copy of Mainland Instructor Training Guide.

[Prepared by: Annie (Feb 2020), Updated by: ______ (date)]

"Men build too many walls and not enough bridges."

― Joseph Fort Newton

Framing/ Setting

Get pax to sit near the wall and be comfortable. At this point, you do not have to tell the pax anything about where they are or about the wall. Make sure that they are within visual sight of the wall. Simple activities can be played to set the mood.

Learning Quest Instructions

1. Divide the watch into 6 subgroups (between 2-3 persons each subgroup).

2. Within your small group, you will be given a jigsaw puzzle. You have to piece up the jigsaw in the shortest time possible. Do not show them the full picture.

3. Fastest team to complete the puzzle wins the challenge.

After the pax are done with the puzzles, ask them to look at the pictures and try to guess/ make sense of what the pictures are revealing. (see below for facilitation questions)

Introduction of the Berlin Wall

What is the Berlin Wall?

Berlin Wall was a guarded concrete barrier that physically and ideologically divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989. The wall stretched for about 160km with more than 55,000 landmines, guard dogs and police patrolling the area 24/7.

The Berlin wall was torn down heralding the peaceful reunification of East and West Germany in 1989. 4 slabs of the original Berlin Wall were displayed here at Bedok Reservoir, on loan from their owning till 2014.

History of Berlin Wall

Two different Rules, Two Different Worlds

After the end of World War II, Germany was divided physically and ideologically into two main blocs, the West (Allied powers, democratic rule) and the Soviet Union (socialist rule). East Germany differed from West Germany (Federal Republic of Germany) which developed into a Western capitalist country with a strong market economy and a democratic parliament government; while East Germany was a centrally planned socialist economy under strict party dictatorship similar to that of Soviet Communist Party in USSR.

Poverty, Hunger, Repression resulting in Brain Drain in E.Germany

Continued economic growth in the West starting in the 1950s fuelled a 20-year “economic miracle”. Many East Germans began leaving for the West in large numbers, fleeing hunger, poverty and repression in the Soviet Zone. Soon, residents of other parts of the Soviet Zone began to escape to the West through Berlin and this deprived the Soviet Zone not only of working forces desperately needed for post-war construction, but disproportionally highly educated people, which came to be known as the “brain drain”.

Marker of Belin and Europe’s Division

In 1961, the borders along Berlin connecting the East and West was officially closed and a wall made of concrete, minefields and chain fences were erected. East Germany guards shot and killed whoever tried to defect and escape. The wall was a stunning marker of Europe’s division. It went up in the middle of a city, cutting across neighbourhoods, streets, and even houses.

Demolition of Wall – Towards Reunification

What was significant was that after about 28 years of oppression, leaving many dead, the Wall was peacefully brought down in 1989 through a non-violent demonstration. The pictures you pieced up captured the event that happened 30 years ago. On Oct 1990, the Eastern Government was officially dissolved as Germany was reunited as one country. Not only did this reunite the country, but familes, friends and the German people as one. It also represented a triumph of Democracy over Communism.

Talking Points: Walls and Segregations

Present Day Germans

Today the Germans still talk of a “wall in their head” – the psychological effects of division that haven’t gone away. Salaries are considerably lower in E Germany, and unemployment higher. Studies show that both Easterners and Westerners continue to view each other in unflattering terms.

Q: Bringing this back to our local context, do you think we have “Walls” in Singapore? Invisible psychological barriers?

A: Racial and Religious Divide, Class Divide, Nationality Divide?

You walked past Bedok Road earlier on. Did you notice the various religious institutions within walking distance of one another? What were some of the institutions you noticed?

You will pass by Bedok Road on your way back later and that stretch is unique even though as Singaporeans we often take it for granted.

Q: Do you know what is unique about that stretch?

A: There are various religious institutions are within walking distance of one another.

Some famous Walls

Religious buildings along Bedok Road

Talking Points: Racial and Religious Harmony in Singapore

Q: A report in 2014 by the Pew Research Centre ranked Singapore as the most religiously diverse country. Do you know how many different religions are there in Singapore?

A: There are at least 10.

Buddhism/Taoism, Islam, Hinduism, Christianity (principal religions)
Sikhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Baha’i, Jainism (small clusters)

Q: We take religious harmony as granted and it is nothing strange in Singapore to see different religious institutions co-existing peacefully in close proximity. However, do you know we used to have religious and racial tensions too?

1950s: Maria Hertogh
1964: Communal Riot of 1964. This riot is also the reason why we celebrate racial harmony day on 21 July each year.

Q: Do you think there are any invisible barriers in Singapore in terms of racial and religious relationships? These tensions can potentially be our invisible “Walls”. What are some of the actions that may create “Wall”?

Insensitive comments, Reinforcing stereotypes, racist comments in the name of humor etc.

Q: What can we do as individuals to build bridges, and not walls?

Make an effort to understand cultures, religions.
Build friendships with people of different races and religions.
Speak up against racist comments and attitudes.

Past incidents of racial riots

Bullying in school based on race is still happening:

Annex A1: Grab and Run

Background:

East Berliners fled with what they could carry to the West after news of the wall’s construction spread.

Source: The New York Times

Q: Why do you think they are fleeing?

A: From fear, communist rule, joining their families etc.

Q: What is going through their minds?

A: Fear, anxiety, loss, uncertainty

Annex A2: Sides of the Wall

Background:

The Wall stated construction on 13 Aug 1961. The concrete segment of the wall stretched for 106km! That is about twice the length of Singapore from one end to the other. Full Length of the Wall stood at 160km.

Q: Look carefully at the Wall. What do you notice?

A: One side of the wall is heavily painted and the other totally white and clean.

Q: Which side do you think is East Berlin and which side is West?

A: Painted walls belonged to the West under Western Democratic rule and the clean side to East Berlin under communist rule. Soldiers heavily guarded the East side and nobody could come near the wall. People found trying to escape were shot and 55,000 landmines littered some stretches of wall to prevent people from escaping.

Q: Do you think that people still tried to escape with such tight security?

A: Of course! Life was increasingly hard for East Germans and they tried to escape to flee hunger, poverty and repression in Soviet Zone. Even if it was dangerous, they still tried to defect to West Berlin.

Q: What do you think were some of the methods of escape used by East Berliners?

A: Tunnels, Hot-air balloons, secret compartments in cars etc.

Tragic Escapes

Between 1961 to 1989, about 140 people died trying to escape and cross over the Wall to the West. Many have tried to escape and perished in the process. One that lived down history was the escape made by Peter Fechter. What made his death so widely known was because he was shot by the East Berlin soldiers and was left to bleed to death while hundreds of people looked on, including journalists. Despite his screams for help, Easterners did nothing and the Western bystanders were prevented from helping by gunpoint. They did try to throw him bandages but he could not reach them. He bled to death an hour later. The last person to die trying to escape and defect to the West was an electronics engineer, Wingried Freudenberg, crashing in Mar 1989 in West Berlin having made it over using a self-built hot-air balloon.

Successful & Extraordinary escapes!

Tunnel 57 - Most successful escape route was tunnel 57, dug by students from the West to help their friends and families escape. The tunnel started from the basement of an unused bakery and it was opened for only 2 days. While it was opened, 57 East Germans used the 140m tunnel to defect.

By Plane/ Car- In 1988, a family of four escaped aboard a small crop-duster plane. Many have also tried to smuggle family into secret car compartments to pass through the most famous checkpoint of the Wall, Checkpoint Charlie.

Annex A3: Before it comes down

Background:

A view of the east side of the Wall, where West Berliners perched atop the barrier, taunt the East German police on Nov 10.

Source: The New York Times

Q: This photo was taken right before the Wall came down. Make a guess how and why the Wall was demolished?

A: The Wall was brought down in a peaceful demonstration! How could that have happened?

This is all due to a political mistake made by an East German politician. Not all mistakes are bad after all! The East have never wanted the Wall to be demolished. However, due to widespread discontentment and international pressure, they decided to make concessions to announce the lifting of certain restrictions of entry/exit. However, the party official making this announcement botched the message so bad that many thought that the Wall was to be officially opened!

The confused guards were not sure and with massive people gathering on the West side, they eventually opened the Wall. West Berliners began to literally tear down the wall with sledgehammers while the guards watched on.

Annex A4: Tearing it Down

Background:

West Berliners tearing down part of the wall as East German guards looked on, Nov 11 1989.

Source: New York Times

It took more than a year for the wall to be demolished. Some of the matter was recycled to build roads but capitalism also caught on and the German government began to look for buyers from all over the world to purchase and display the parts of the wall.

That was also how the actual wall came to Singapore from 2010 – 2013.

Annex A5: Berlin Wall @ Bedok Reservoir

Background:

This is the actual Berlin Wall that was on displayed from 2010 to 2013. The current picture now is actually an adaptation of the Wall. The other side of the wall is actually artwork from local Polytechnic Students.

Q: This original artwork was titled “Kings of Freedom”. What do you think the artist was trying to depict?

A: This artwork showed a bright and joyful king depicting freedom – facing West Germany (Democratic) and a Colourless Blindfolded King Oblivious to the wishes of the pple – facing East Germany (Soviet).

Q: Why do you think the Wall then was housed in this particular part of Singapore, Bedok Reservoir?

A: Because the owners were close friends of then MP for Bedok, Mr. George Yeo who was also Singapore’s Minister of Foreign Affairs then. So they loaned it to him and displayed at his constituency until they returned to the US and brought it back with them. The Wall is currently housed at the University of Virginia.

Do you know? The custom-made glass enclosure at the reservoir used to house these artwork cost a whooping $2 million to build. While the Berlin Wall slabs at Bedok had been returned, there are 4 more original slap housed in National University of Singapore.

Annex A6: Expression of Freedom

Background:

Artwork created by one of the first painters to paint along the Berlin Wall.

Source: theguardian.com

Thierry Noir was the first painter to depict communist repression with cartoonish graffiti and his creations became world famous.

He often had to play cat and mouse with the death strip police. Often the soldiers would come with a mega phone to tell him to stop painting and step back inside West Berlin.

Q: Art thrived at the Wall as artists used this long stretch of canvas to express their thoughts. Do you notice anything special about the artwork depicted here?

A: There is a urinal right smack on the picture! Days after he created this, Thierry also put a hand basin up the Wall. He drew inspiration from an exhibition in New York where a urinal was also depicted and created much scandal and talk there.

Q: Imagine you have a wall of canvas, what would you draw?

Annex B1: Maria Hertogh Riot

Summary

The Maria Hertogh riots began on 11 Dec 1950 in Singapore after a court decided that a child who had been raised by Muslims should be returned to her Catholic biological parents. A protest by outraged Muslims escalated into a riot when images were published showing a 13-year old Maria Hertogh kneeling before a statue of Virgin Mary. Riots in Singapore lasted until noon 13 December 1950. 18 people were killed and 173 injured.

Background

Maria was born to a Dutch catholic family in Indonesian. Her father was serving as a sergeant in the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army. However, when World War II broke out, her father was captured by the Japanese and sent to a POW camp in Japan. Maria was sent to stay for a few days with a Malay woman. The stay was meant to be short, however Maria was not returned to her mother.

After which, she tried to look for Maria but could not find her at all. The Malay lady had apparently taken Maria and disappeared. By the time Maria was found in 1949, she was the same as any other Malay Muslim girl of her age, spoke only Malay and wore Malay clothes and practiced her religion devoutly.

Negotiations were opened to retrieve Maria and the Dutch Consulate offered $500 to make up for the expenses of bringing Maria up. However, the Malay woman refused to give up her foster daughter. Nonetheless, she was persuaded to travel with Maria to Singapore to discuss with the Dutch Consult-General. A High Court application was made for Maria to be delivered into the custody of the Social Welfare Department, pending further notice.

Court Decision

Maria though had indicated that she did not wish to be returned to her natural parents. Despite Maria’s wish to stay with her foster mother, the High Courts ruled that she should be returned to her biological parent, the Hertoghs.

As Maria and her foster mother exited the court via the backdoor, a car from the Consulate was waiting to take Maria away. Maria refused to enter the car and clung on to her foster mother, both shouting in Malay that they would kill themselves rather than be separated. A large crowd formed and that was the start of the racial tension that will eventually escalate into riots.

An appeal was made to the court and the decision was reversed. Both Maria and her foster mother were overjoyed. However, the Hertoghs did not give up pursuing the rights to their daughter. They continued to challenge the ruling and by which then, the media has widely reported the news and it gained international attention with support coming from as far as Saudi Arabia as some felt that it was “an open challenge to the Muslim community”.

The Courts heard another appeal made by the Hertoghs and it was once again ruled that Maria was to be returned to her natural parents.

Maria was to stay at the convent before the Hertoghs bring her back to Netherlands. During her stay, she was captured by the Media, attending Mass, and associating with symbols of Christian faith. This angered the Muslim community who considered Maria as their own. Another subsequent appeal was lodged by her foster parents.

The Aftermath

During the date of the appeal on 11 Dec, large crowds gathered carrying banners and flags outside the supreme court. The court rejected the appeal within 5 minutes. This caused an uproar and the riot ensued.

The riots continued for 3 days and a curfew was called. The mob (consisting largely of Muslims) moved out to attack any European cars and even Eurasians in sight. Cars were overturned and burnt. The police force, with its lower ranks largely consisting of Malays, who sympathised with the rioters’ cause, and were therefore ineffective in quelling the riots. Even the British Military had to be called in to control the riots. The riots eventually caused 18 deaths, with hundreds injured.

Maria Hertogh returned to Netherlands and stayed there until her death in 2009.

Annex B2: 1964 Communal Riot

Summary

Singapore went through racial or communal riots between Malays and Chinese over two five-day periods beginning on 21 July and 2 September 1964 respectively. These riots, the worst and most prolonged in Singapore’s post-war history, erupted after Singapore merged with the Federation of Malaysia. There were 22 deaths and 461 injured.

19 July 1964:

More than 1,000 Malays met with Mr. Lee Kuan Yew to clarify the issue of special rights for Malays upon the Independence of Singapore. Unlike in Malaysia, Malays in Singapore will not enjoy special licences and land reservations as Mr. Lee reiterated that all Singaporean citizens had equal rights, regardless of race.

21 July 1964:

Rioting broke out on the eve of the planned massive celebrations for Prophet Muhammad’s birthday when a protest demonstration by Malays escalated from a verbal war of taunts and insults with Chinese bystanders. The ensuing violence which continued for five days, left 22 dead and 454 injured. Curfew hours were imposed to restore law and order. The curfew was gradually relaxed in August.

02 September 1964:

Racial tensions exploded once again when a Malay trishaw rider was stabbed to death at night. Rioting erupted gain and continued for 5 days with more killed and injured.

The racial riots were, by far, the worst and most prolonged in Singapore’s post-war history and further reiterated that religious and racial harmony is not ‘natural’ in Singapore and needs nurturing.

Aftermath

These incidences were part of the reasons then Prime Minister of Malaysian Federation Tunku Abdul Rahman felt that Singapore should be separated from the federation. This is also the reason why we celebrate Racial Harmony Day on 21 July. A reminder that Singaporeans must not take racial harmony as a given.