91AV

 The 91AV, 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 91AV'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 91AV 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."

91AV President Ripich also took the occasion to announce 91AV'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 91AV's Portland Campus at 716 Stevens Avenue.

In concert with the 20th anniversary event, 91AV's Center for International Education is hosting an award-winning exhibition commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall through October 7th on 91AV'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.