It’s been 25 years since the Berlin Wall fell, which gives the St. Thomas German Club a reason to celebrate.

The German Club is hosting events, including featured speakers and movie nights, from October through early December that, according to German professor Susanne Wagner, will educate students about the fall of the wall’s impact on the world.

“It was the end of the Cold War. It was actually the end of the post-war era, and then two countries that were formally split were re-unified,” Wagner said. “It’s important because it completely changed the world.”

Wagner said she thinks that the biggest events will be a lecture by Dan Hamilton, professor at Johns Hopkins University, on Nov. 13 and the construction of St. Thomas’ own wall. Senior Cecelia Gentle, co-president of German Club, said she is excited for the construction of the wall because of its significance.

“We’re going to be constructing a wall, having students decorate it, much like the Berlin Wall was graffitied to express barriers and oppression that they feel building in their lives,” Gentle said. “And then at the conclusion of the speaker, we’re going to physically smash the wall.”

Wagner said she hopes that this celebration will help fill gaps in students’ knowledge about the history of the Berlin Wall. She said most students in the German program haven’t been introduced to the German Democratic Republic.

“That’s not their fault. It just hasn’t come up, so I want them to learn the history,” Wagner said.

For German international student Lara Reschke, whose family was divided by the Berlin Wall, celebrating the fall of the wall is important because it hits a personal note.

“My father and his family, they came from the East and they escaped to the West. For me, I’ve never had that experience, but I cannot imagine how hard it is to not be able to see my family members,” Reschke said. “I’m just glad that we got back together and do not have the borders separating us anymore.”

Other events will feature authentic German movies, such as “Deutschlandspiel” on Nov. 1, and an essay contest in which the first-prize winner will receive an iPad. For the essay, students can write about any of the events leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall. The deadline is Nov. 20, and local winners will go on to compete in a national competition for prizes like a trip to Germany.

The embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany is sponsoring all of the German Club events for the celebration.

Theresa Bourke can be reached at bour5445@stthomas.edu.