For 40 years no one was permitted to cross the Elbe River at Luechow. The "Elbe-Star" was a West German ship, put in for quick action. The people in the middle of the reeds were there to welcome the visitors. (Courtesy of www.damals-im-wendland.de)
"It was late in the evening when we quickly turned on the TV. It was true! The borders between East and West Germany had fallen. In Berlin, people were dancing and cheering atop The Wall. East and West Germans were in each others' arms! We were so moved by this event that we also hugged each other.
Lydia Kulow: "We break through the wall, cut the fence and a thousand 'Trabis' [Trabis is the East German name for cars] are in Luechow! And no new World War breaks out!" (Courtesy of www.damals-im-wendland.de)
"The next day the Trabis (cars built in the former East Germany) took over Luechow. The sidewalks were filled with groups of people who had come from the other side, East Germany. All hell breaks lose in Luechow's local government offices. Each former East German citizens signs a visitor's pass and receives 100 DM as a sign of welcome. Many spend their money immediately, and three days later the store shelves were empty.
"Dieter and I went to the local government compound and invited a family to spend the night with us. We set the table for dinner. Two young boys are among our visitors; one pipes up, 'Mama, and these are supposed to be our enemies?' It made the parents feel uneasy and they volunteered, 'That is something the children were taught in Kindergarten.'"
Originally published on www.damals-im-wendland.de.
