TRURO - Reminders of the Cold War have been temporarily removed from downtown Truro.
Two sections of the Berlin Wall were moved yesterday to Saint Mary's University in Halifax. They will be used as a focal point of a conference examining the legacy of the wall's fall that occurred 20 years ago next month.
"It's a milestone year really," explained wall owner Marty Young, who was more than willing to provide the sections of the wall when contacted by the university a few weeks ago.
"I just thought it would probably pass by again ... without too much media attention," he said of the anniversary.
The sections of the wall will be located in front of the main door entering the university's McNally Building on Robie Street. They will remain in Halifax until Nov. 9 when they will be brought back to Truro.
As the large slabs of concrete were loaded by crane yesterday some pedestrians
took notice before quickly going on with their business.
The sections of the wall act as a reminder of the Soviet occupation in East Germany. Young hopes the pieces make people stop and think.
"A lot of people that would have seen it (come down) wouldn't forget it," said the 29-year-old.
"This is an important symbol."
Six sections of the wall, each measuring about 12-feet high by four-feet wide, have been on a vacant Prince Street lot near Outram Street since June 2000.
Young, a former Greenfield, Colchester County resident who now lives in New Brunswick, purchased eight sections of the wall and later sold two of them for his original purchase price.
A deal was worked out with the town to permit the six sections to be erect as an educational and tourism tool and they have remained there ever since.
jmalloy@trurodaily.com
Wall parts heading to SMU
Wall parts heading to SMU
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Published on
October 27, 2009
- Published on January 1, 2010
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Jason Malloy
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Comments
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- Freedom
- - January 18, 2010 at 11:11:56
20years ago next month, my family and I were present in Berlin after the wall came down. Many people were still streaming towards their freedom. It was a heartwrenching event - bittersweet in many aspects. I hope when the walls are erected in Halifax that many will take time to ponder the circumstances surrounding their origin, and continue to remember the importance of unity and peace.
