Festival of Freedom celebrations
Berlin marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall on 9 November with a fantastic Festival of Freedom. To symbolise the event and the global implications of the end of the Cold War, some 1000 huge domino stones, decorated by youths from across the world, will be lined up along the original route of the Wall between Potsdamer Platz and the Brandenburger Tor gate. An open air concert with the Staatskapelle Berlin conducted by Daniel Barenboim will take place beside the gate on Pariser Platz, before the dominoes will be toppled over (at 19:25) in the presence of Kofi Anan, Mikhail Gorbachev and other guests who played a role in the event. For more information see www.mauerfall09.de.

Exhibitions
In addition to these temporary exhibitions, visit the sights listed on the Cold War Berlin page, such as the popular Story of Berlin Museum, DDR Museum and Haus am Checkpoint Charlie museum, and the last untouched stretch of Wall at the Berlin Wall Documentation Center for more insights into the history of the Cold War and the Wall. See www.mauerfall09.de for even more events.

Checkpoint Gallery
For most visitors to Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie is a 'must see', though the reality is usually not what most tourists had been expecting. This free open-air exhibition, located right next to Checkpoint Charlie, provides information on the legendary border crossing with the aid of 175 large-format photos and bilingual texts. Until 31 December.
Checkpoint Charlie, Friedrichstraße, www.bfgg.de/projekte/checkpoint-gallery.html. Open 24hrs.

East Side Gallery
At 1,3 km, this free open-air 'gallery' is the longest remaining original stretch of Wall in Berlin. The 'East Side' started out as a favourite haunt of graffiti artists in 1990 (note that the paintings are on the eastern, formerly deadly side of the Wall), and has since become a magnet for tourists as well as an important cultural landmark. Many of the original artworks have recently been re-painted by artists from all over the world. There are plenty of places to stop for refreshment along the banks of the river Spree as you explore over 100 compelling works of art.
Mühlenstr., www.eastsidegallery.com

Erased Walls
Though the connection to the Berlin Wall is tenuous at best, this exhibition is nonetheless a great opportunity to see examples of contemporary works by artists from several East European countries dealing with social, political and philosophical themes. Until 22 October.
Freies Museum Berlin, Potsdamer Str. 91, www.freies-museum.de. Open 12:00-19:00, closed Sun.

Mauerprojekt
Stephan Kaluza's extraordinary 'Das Mauerprojekt - Complexe 16' is the result of months of painstaking work: over 30,000 photographs taken at one-metre intervals along a 50km stretch of the former sector boundaries, from north to south through the centre of Berlin. The photos have been merged into one, producing an ‘absolute long shot’ and a unique perspective on the Wall. Until 11 October.
Künstlerhaus Bethanien, Mariannenplatz 2, tel. (+49)(0)30 616 90 30, www.bethanien.de. Open 14:00-19:00, closed Mon, Tues.

Peaceful Revolution 1989/90
This bilingual open-air exhibition tells the story of The GDR's peaceful revolution. In 1989, many East Germans overcame their fears and took their fate in their own hands, starting with just a few people but soon growing to a widespread movement with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets, and many fleeing to the West. Photos and texts show the bravery of these people and the resulting political changes. Until 14 November.
Alexanderplatz, next to the World Time Clock. Open 24 hours.

Stasi
The exhibition at the Information and Documentation Centre Berlin is a must for those with an interest in the Stasi, the GDR's feared state security system. Although the countless photos and documents lack accompanying English texts, you can book a guided tour in English. Until 31 December.
Informations- und Dokumentationszentrum BSTU, Mauerstr. 38, tel. (+49)(0)30 23 24 79 51, www.bstu.bund.de. Open 10:00-18:00, closed Sun.

Trabant exhibition
Berlin's new GDR Motorcycle Museum offers visitors the chance to see over 100 pristine examples of MZ and Simson motorbikes, which are becoming something of a rarity on the roads of Berlin. To mark the Wall season, there is a special exhibition dedicated to the history of the automotive symbol of the GDR: the huffing, puffing little Trabant. Until 30 December.
Berliner DDR Motorrad Museum, Rochstraße 14c, tel. (+49)(0)30 24 04 57 25, www.erstesberliner-ddr-motorradmuseum.de. Open 10:00-21:00.

Traces of the past
Several internationally-renowned artists have contributed to the “Art between traces of the past and utopian futures” exhibition, which sets out to explore that transformation that Berlin has undergone since the Wall was built, and beyond. Paintings, photographic works and installations offer a commentary on the changing face of a society was divided for almost 30 years. Until 31 January 2010.
Berlinische Galerie, Landesmuseum für Moderne Kunst, Fotografie und Architektur,
Alte Jakobstraße 124-128, tel. (+49)(0)30 78 90 26 00, www.berlinischegalerie.de. Open 10:00-18:00, closed Tues.