Berlin: No Future without a Past
On an icy Berlin morning on March 27, construction workers quietly went about their work near the city center. The sun had yet to poke its head out, and, to a sleepy passerby, the fuzzy forms milling around in the half-light might have indicated nothing untoward. But to the keen observer, the team of policemen standing guard would have been cause for a double take. In fact, what was taking place was the dismantling of a section of an iconic landmark: the Berlin Wall.
When the wall came down in November 1989, there were scenes of jubilation. The barrier had divided East and West Berlin for nearly 30 years, during which time at least 136 people had perished attempting to cross the border. Its removal marked the beginning of the end for the communist German Democratic Republic (GDR). However, while optimism was rife, it was inevitably tinged with a degree of trepidation as Berliners speculated on the hurdles ahead for a reunified Germany.
Nearly 25 years on, Berlin boasts a powerful service sector that accounts for about 80 percent of business in the city. Creative industries contribute roughly 20 percent of Berlin's GDP. The city also enjoys a reputation as a world-class host to conventions and conferences. Indeed, the annual Meeting Place Berlin is an industry workshop with a specific focus on acquiring more events for the city.
柏林：浴火重生的新世界之都
在三月廿七日一個寒冷的柏林早晨，建築工人在市中心 附近安靜地做著他們的工作。太陽還沒探出頭來，而對一個 睡眼惺忪的路人來說，那些在清晨曙光中忙碌的模糊身影並 無不尋常之處。不過，若是眼尖一點的人，可能會因為那群 站在一旁監看的警察而忍不住多看一眼。實際上，那群工人 正在拆除一座傳奇地標 —— 柏林圍牆 —— 的一部分。
柏林圍牆於一九八九年十一月倒塌時曾伴隨著歡欣雀躍 的景象。這道牆分隔東、西柏林將近 30 年之久，那段期間 內至少有 136 人因試圖闖越邊境而喪命。柏林圍牆的拆除 標誌著奉行共產主義的德意志民主共和國走向滅亡的起點。 儘管當時瀰漫著一股樂觀的情緒，柏林人一旦想到德國再次 統一後可能遭遇的困難，心裡還是不免感到些微的不安。
將近 25 年之後，柏林擁有佔該市商業活動 80% 左右 的強大服務產業。創意產業為柏林貢獻了約 20% 的國內生 產毛額。這座城市也以各項大會與研討會的世界級主辦地點 著稱。實際上，每年舉行一次的「柏林集會地點」目的就是 在為該市爭取更多活動的產業研討會。
資料來源：biz 互動英語電子報
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