(Re)Presentation of “the” Past in Berlin-Mitte after German Reunification, and Its Implications for Cultural Production through Appropriation of Space

This paper examines the appropriation of space for cultural production in Berlin’s central district Mitte in the years directly after German reunification (approximately 1990-1994) and suggests an explanatory model for the intensity of and motivations behind these changes. The research conducted for...

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Main Author: Mary Dellenbaugh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Zadar 2013-06-01
Series:[sic]
Online Access:http://www.sic-journal.org/ArticleView.aspx?aid=194
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author Mary Dellenbaugh
author_facet Mary Dellenbaugh
author_sort Mary Dellenbaugh
collection DOAJ
description This paper examines the appropriation of space for cultural production in Berlin’s central district Mitte in the years directly after German reunification (approximately 1990-1994) and suggests an explanatory model for the intensity of and motivations behind these changes. The research conducted for this paper used interviews, discourse analysis and historical research to identify three main impulses that guided spatial changes in Berlin’s central district Mitte directly after reunification: the divergent post-war development of the two Germanys, the political and structural aspects of reunification, and the moving of the German capital back to Berlin after 40 years in Bonn. The author posits that these changes represent not only “simple” physical and symbolic appropriation, but also a proxy for the reinterpretation of the German national narrative after 1990. In the conclusion, the author discusses the role of Vergangenheitsbewältigung (“coming to grips with the past”) and divided development as pivotal to the spatial developments in Berlin’s central district after reunification.
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spelling doaj-art-4432c4a55e474cdd9066bef07b63f0c42025-08-20T03:30:14ZengUniversity of Zadar[sic]1847-77552013-06-013210.15291/sic/2.3.lc.1194(Re)Presentation of “the” Past in Berlin-Mitte after German Reunification, and Its Implications for Cultural Production through Appropriation of SpaceMary DellenbaughThis paper examines the appropriation of space for cultural production in Berlin’s central district Mitte in the years directly after German reunification (approximately 1990-1994) and suggests an explanatory model for the intensity of and motivations behind these changes. The research conducted for this paper used interviews, discourse analysis and historical research to identify three main impulses that guided spatial changes in Berlin’s central district Mitte directly after reunification: the divergent post-war development of the two Germanys, the political and structural aspects of reunification, and the moving of the German capital back to Berlin after 40 years in Bonn. The author posits that these changes represent not only “simple” physical and symbolic appropriation, but also a proxy for the reinterpretation of the German national narrative after 1990. In the conclusion, the author discusses the role of Vergangenheitsbewältigung (“coming to grips with the past”) and divided development as pivotal to the spatial developments in Berlin’s central district after reunification.http://www.sic-journal.org/ArticleView.aspx?aid=194
spellingShingle Mary Dellenbaugh
(Re)Presentation of “the” Past in Berlin-Mitte after German Reunification, and Its Implications for Cultural Production through Appropriation of Space
[sic]
title (Re)Presentation of “the” Past in Berlin-Mitte after German Reunification, and Its Implications for Cultural Production through Appropriation of Space
title_full (Re)Presentation of “the” Past in Berlin-Mitte after German Reunification, and Its Implications for Cultural Production through Appropriation of Space
title_fullStr (Re)Presentation of “the” Past in Berlin-Mitte after German Reunification, and Its Implications for Cultural Production through Appropriation of Space
title_full_unstemmed (Re)Presentation of “the” Past in Berlin-Mitte after German Reunification, and Its Implications for Cultural Production through Appropriation of Space
title_short (Re)Presentation of “the” Past in Berlin-Mitte after German Reunification, and Its Implications for Cultural Production through Appropriation of Space
title_sort re presentation of the past in berlin mitte after german reunification and its implications for cultural production through appropriation of space
url http://www.sic-journal.org/ArticleView.aspx?aid=194
work_keys_str_mv AT marydellenbaugh representationofthepastinberlinmitteaftergermanreunificationanditsimplicationsforculturalproductionthroughappropriationofspace