It was fascinating to see the transformation of Berlin since the fall of the wall in 1989 and also to witness the German people’s 80th anniversary commemorations of VE Day and the surrender of Berlin on 2nd May 1945. Member Helen Porter travelled to Berlin for this historic date.
There was a temporary outdoor exhibition ‘ Peace at Last’ in Pariser Square in front of the Brandenburg 
Gate. This exhibition celebrated ‘Kriegsende’ – the end of the war. It seems that the German civilians were (on the whole) relieved and pleased that WWII had ended. They had suffered a great deal of deprivations and the loss of loved ones during the war.
On visiting the site of The FuhrerBunker (the air raid shelter built to protect Hitler and other senior members of the Nazi Party) we learnt that Hitler ordered soldiers to kill German civilians who were not members of the Nazi Party during the latter weeks of the war. Thus, many German civilians welcomed the end of the war and the demise of the Nazi Party.
Other observations: there were several demonstrations and protest marches during the week. One was held on Labour Day (1st May). These demonstrations were heavily policed and had obviously been planned. We were not sure of the details of these, but there is obviously some political unrest in Berlin.
The Jewish Centre and Synagogue in Berlin has 24-hour armed police protection.
There are many excellent and detailed information centres and exhibitions addressing various aspects
of WWII e.g. the Resistance Museum and the information centre under the Jewish Memorial. These exhibitions are free and welcome visitors. If you haven’t been already then a visit to Berlin is highly recommended.