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November 9th, 1989 marks a very special day in German history. 35 years ago today, the Berlin Wall came down, an event that not only reunited a city, but also reshaped Europe and the world. On the 35th anniversary of the Wall’s fall we present to you a collection of eight articles from The Game Magazine by IMAGO reflecting on Berlin’s rich history, from the powerful imagery of its street art and photography to the personal accounts of those who witnessed its transformation themselves. From Jürgen Ritter’s archive capturing the divided city, to the rise of Berlin’s graffiti culture, these articles offer a unique perspective on the political and social legacies that continue to define Berlin today.
To the articles:
An Interview with Rolf Zöllner
The Berlin Divisions in Photos: Tracing Cultural Shifts from the Wall to Now
Fun & Leisure 1970's in Berlin - Candids from a City in Turmoil
A City in Frames from the '70s to Today by Rolf Zöllner
Berlin U-Bahn: A photogenic, quirky subway system with a complicated past
An Interview with Berlin Photographer Jürgen Ritter
How Berlin Became a City for Graffiti
Berlin landmarks by two different generations
1. An Interview with Rolf Zöllner
This interview with Berlin photojournalist Rolf Zöllner explores his experiences documenting life in the city, especially during the fall of the Berlin Wall. He began taking photos at the age of 19 and became serious about it after moving to Berlin in 1978. Zöllner recalls the vibrant cultural life of East Berlin in the 80s and the emergence of art spaces in the 90s. His most memorable moment was capturing the fall of the Berlin Wall, despite feeling emotionally overwhelmed. He then turned to freelance photojournalism, working with prominent publications. Zöllner notes how photography has changed, with modern restrictions making street photography more challenging. He also reflects on how today’s Berlin, though more gentrified, still offers new photographic opportunities.
IMAGO / Rolf Zöllner | Berlin citizens climb the Berlin Wall on November 11, 1989, one day after the opening of the Berlin Wall.
2. The Berlin Divisions in Photos: Tracing Cultural Shifts from the Wall to Now
This photographical comparison examines the cultural and architectural transformation of Berlin from the era of the Berlin Wall until today. Through a mix of historical and contemporary photography, it highlights the evolution of neighborhoods such as Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg, and Tempelhof, showing changes from the punk culture of the 1980s to modern gentrification. The visual comparisons illustrate how Berlin's underground arts, political movements, and landmarks have been reshaped while still retaining some cultural elements from the past that reflect the city’s complex history.
Top: IMAGO / F. Anthea Schaap | The Bierbrunnen at Gesundbrunnen, Wedding, 2022. Bottom: IMAGO / Rolf Zöllner | Zum Oranienburger, today the Meilenstein, Oranienburger Straße, Mitte, 1989.
3. Fun & Leisure 1970's Berlin - Candids from a City in Turmoil
Berliners did find joy amid the Cold War chaos during the 1970s. Despite the oppressive atmosphere of the Berlin Wall and threats from the Red Army Faction, residents engaged in leisure activities throughout the 70s.
IMAGO’s archive showcases candid moments from music festivals, concerts, and everyday life, highlighting the resilience of Berliners. Images of swimming at Müggelsee and attending cultural events reveal that pockets of fun and serenity persisted even in a divided city. Ultimately, the article underscores Berlin's enduring spirit amid political turmoil.
IMAGO / Gerhard Leber | French-German funfair in West Berlin, 1975.
4. A City in Frames from the '70s to Today by Rolf Zöllner
The article highlights the work of IMAGO photographer Rolf Zöllner, who has documented Berlin's transformation over six decades. Beginning in the late 1970s, Zöllner's photographs capture the city’s evolving identity, from pre-unification Berlin to the fall of the Wall in 1989 and into the modern era.
Born in Chemnitz in 1953, Zöllner moved to Berlin in 1978 and became immersed in the city’s cultural transformation. His black-and-white photographs serve as a visual archive that reflects Berlin’s political, social, and urban shifts. Spanning from the 1970s to 2023, these images offer a historical perspective on the city’s dynamic evolution.
IMAGO / Rolf Zöllner | Visitors of the Reichstag reflected in the mirror cylinder of the Reichstag dome, 2000.
5. Berlin U-Bahn: A photogenic, quirky subway system with a complicated past
One of the world's oldest subway systems, Berlin’s U-Bahn, was established in 1902. It has played significant roles during WWII, served as a checkpoint during the Cold War, and adapted to the city's evolving landscape.
Today, the U-Bahn spans nearly 150 kilometers and features diverse architectural styles, serving as both transportation and a social hub. Its quirky atmosphere, captured on the Instagram account subwaycreatures.berlin, reflects Berlin’s eclectic culture. As IMAGO celebrates the U-Bahn's 120th anniversary in this article, the U-Bahn remains a vital and photogenic part of the city's identity.
IMAGO / Detlev Konnerth | Security guards at Berlin Ostkreuz Station, 1991.
6. An Interview with Berlin Photographer Jürgen Ritter
In this interview, Berlin photographer Jürgen Ritter discusses his work capturing the city’s evolution during the 1980s and 1990s through black-and-white photography. Starting with a simple camera, he developed his skills at Axel Springer’s Ullstein picture service.
Ritter frequently ventured into East Berlin, documenting life in the GDR while reflecting on West Berlin's vibrant culture, especially in Kreuzberg. Though he was ill during the fall of the Berlin Wall, he later captured its aftermath. His photography focuses on meaningful moments, avoiding excessive digital snapshots. Ritter's work offers a valuable historical archive of Berlin's complex past and political shifts.
IMAGO / Jürgen Ritter | A guy with a hammer during the demolition of the Berlin Wall, 1990.
7. How Berlin Became a City for Graffiti
The article "How Berlin Became a City for Graffiti" explores the rise of graffiti in Berlin, rooted in the Cold War and symbolized by the Berlin Wall, where artists like Thierry Noir expressed political defiance.
Following the Wall's fall in 1989, a wave of creativity emerged as East and West artists collaborated, particularly in areas like Friedrichshain, with the East Side Gallery becoming a global symbol of freedom.
Today, graffiti is a crucial part of Berlin's cultural identity, influencing art and tourism. While embraced through legalized walls and festivals, it also faces controversy amid gentrification debates, reflecting the city’s complex history and ongoing transformation.
IMAGO / Sven Simon | Two women walking in front of the Berlin Wall.
8. Berlin landmarks by two different generations
This article explores how photographers Rolf Zöllner and F. Anthea Schaap depict Berlin’s landmarks from different generational perspectives. Zöllner, an IMAGO photographer since the GDR era, captures historic moments like the fall of the Berlin Wall, while Schaap, photographing since 2010, focuses on newer sites like the Futurium.
The article highlights the evolution of significant landmarks, reflecting changes in Berlin’s cultural landscape. Both photographers express frustrations with growing public mistrust and the challenges of candid street photography today. Their contrasting experiences provide a visual history of Berlin from its post-war reconstruction to its modern transformation.
Top: IMAGO / Rolf Zöllner | Border soldiers look through a hole in the Berlin Wall, 1990. Bottom: IMAGO / F. Anthea Schaap | Rusty grid door hung with love locks in the Berlin Wall at the East Side Gallery, 2019.
These 8 compelling articles from The Game Magazine by IMAGO capture the city’s transformation through photography, street art, and personal stories 35 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, in celebration of its 35th anniversary. From powerful images of a divided Berlin to the rise of its graffiti culture, explore the lasting political and cultural legacies that continue to shape the city today. Stay connected with us by reading the articles we publish every week in The Game Magazine by IMAGO.
