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BIDDEFORD, Maine

UNE recognizes fall of Berlin Wall with celebration, exhibition

 The University of New England, together with the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Boston, the World Affairs Council of Maine (WAC), and Norman, Hanson & DeTroy, LLC commemorated the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Friday, Oct. 2, 2009 at UNE's George and Barbara Bush Center in Biddeford.

Special guests in attendance were the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany to New England, Friedrich L. Löhr; the Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany to Maine and New Hampshire, Adrian P. Kendall; Congressman Mike Michaud; and UNE President Danielle N. Ripich.   

C.G. Löhr presented Pres. Ripich with a piece of the Berlin Wall encased in glass, a gift from the Consulate.

She stated, "The significance and representation of this event is so important to remember and celebrate, especially as we educate today's youth for a more global and interconnected world.  We must show our students, some of whom were not even born at the time of this event, the true test of people, justice, democracy and will, and the power it has to bring about real change in the world."

UNE President Ripich also took the occasion to announce UNE's new partnership with the World Affairs Council of Maine.  

WAC is the state's oldest and largest non-profit public organization dedicated to public education in international affairs. From origins in 1962 hosting United Nations diplomats and correspondents, the Council was founded in 1977 to promote understanding of world events and issues, foreign policy and international trade, and other countries and cultures.

Its annual series of speakers and events has increasingly engaged the business and education communities, as well as other groups and organizations involved in Maine's expanding global activities and interests.   

Pres. Ripich called it "a rewarding and mutually beneficial relationship for our students and the community."  WAC offices will now be hosted on UNE's Portland Campus at 716 Stevens Avenue.

In concert with the 20th anniversary event, UNE's Center for International Education is hosting an award-winning exhibition commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall through October 7th on UNE's Biddeford campus.  

The award-winning exhibition is on loan from the Goethe-Institut Boston, through the General Consulate of Germany.  The virtual reality artwork "Virtuelle Mauer/ReConstructing the Wall" investigates the impact of the Berlin Wall, which divided West and East Berlin during the Cold War from August 13, 1961 to November 9, 1989.

A digital reconstruction of a segment of the dismantled Berlin Wall and its surrounding neighborhoods creates a place of remembrance that users can explore in order to experience and reflect on this historical time. Guests virtually walk along the wall, using a joystick and projection screen, viewing the wall and surrounding neighborhoods as they appeared then and now.

This event is free and open to the public, and available for class tours.  Groups may schedule a guided tour for Wednesday, Oct 7 at 11 a.m. or 12 p.m.  To schedule a class tour, please call the Center for International Education, 602-2585/2451.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.