This Saturday marks the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall, a historical turning point which changed Germany, Europe and the world.
An emblem of the Cold War and separation of the West and the East, the Berlin Wall was not demolished immediately.
Its demolition started on 9 November 1989, with people chipping it off with hammers, chisels and sledgehammers, creating unofficial border crossings and symbolically ending decades of geopolitical tension.
The reunification of East and West Germany was made official on October 3, 1990.
After a full week of remembrance, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is hosting commemorations attended by leaders from Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary this Saturday.
An official ceremony chaired by Merkel took place at 10:30am CET.
At 11:30am CET a service in the Chapel of Reconciliation commemorated the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Around midday, candles will be lit at the National Monument to the Victims of Communist Tyranny.
Celebrations will culminate this evening at the Brandenburg Gate on a large stage show, where the Staatskapelle, conducted by Daniel Barenboim, will open the festivities.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will also hold a speech.
