To mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, Imperial War Museum North in Manchester is presenting a small but powerful display of more than 20 photographs, many of which will be on view to the public for the first time.

Images from the Imperial War Museum’s Photograph Archive illustrate of one of the most remarkable stories in the modern history of Europe.

The exhibition Living with the Wall: Berlin 1961-1989 marks these momentous events and reflects on 28 years of a divided city.

It reveals the evolution of the Wall from primitive barbed wire barricade to modern fortification and artist’s inspiration.

gallery

• Living with the Wall: Berlin 1961-1989

The Wall: 20 years since the last death

In the anniversary week of the last Berlin Wall fatality, Anthony Peregrine visits the city and the Cold War’s most iconic frontier

• Berlin is brought back to life again

Jewish past and present in Berlin

Lucy Daltroff overcomes her inhibitions and resistance to explore the Jewish history of the city

• Stasi history in Berlin

• A complete short story: Berlin

Multimedia

• Archive topic: The Berlin Wall

Images captured by German photojournalists illustrate the impact on the people of Berlin as families were separated or sought to escape the restrictions imposed on them, while those taken by British Army Photographers, never before displayed to the public, document the confrontation between the East and the West.

Visitors will also get to see a checkpoint sign signalling the end of the British zone, on public display in the museum's main exhibition for the first time since it was used in Berlin.

A searchlight, believed to be the only survivor of 302 originally mounted on watchtowers along the Berlin Wall, sits next to a piece of the Wall itself in the museum. A classic Cold War Trabant car and East German riot shield and visor are also on permanent display.

Children can also race to Checkpoint Charlie thanks to a child friendly Action Station, based on Cold War Berlin. It will help youngsters to find out what life in a divided city was like when friends and family could have been on the other side of the Wall.

“It is remarkable to think that until only 20 years ago one of Europe’s great cities was sliced in two," said Jim Forrester, Imperial War Museum North Director. "The suffering of people separated from family and friends for more than a quarter of a century is difficult to imagine. This display conveys the human story of what it was like living with the Wall, including remarkable stories of bravery and courage.”

Living with the Wall: Berlin 1961-1989 runs from September 12 to March 21, 2010 at the Imperial War Museum North, The WaterWay, The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Trafford Park, Manchester M17 1T. Opening times: 10am-6pm September-October, 10am-5pm November-March. Free entry

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