Las Vegas may be thousands of miles from Berlin, but the city will never pass up an opportunity for celebration. As Germans celebrate their National Holiday on October 3, the event coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Wall in Berlin and the Honorary Consul of Germany announced a unique event in Vegas for the weekend of October 3 and 4 that involves art, history, education and politics.
The exhibition is at the Westin Hotel on E. Flamingo Road and is free and open to the public Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
On display is a replica piece of the Berlin Wall, built by local Las Vegas artist John Pacheco. With assistance from high school and UNLV students, the artist created an 8'x16' replica wall. Also on display is a photo exhibit detailing the events that led to the Fall of the Wall.
Documentary movies are being shown about the Fall of the Wall, as well as
the Berlin Airlift. There will also be guest speakers from UNLV and a
lecture from a retired U.S. Army Colonel, who was stationed at the Wall as
it was being built and famously coined the term "Checkpoint Charlie."
A large number of visitors, students, guests from the Army and Air Force are expected, as well as those interested in international culture, history, art and education.
A Saturday Dinner Gala Event carries a $65 fee per ticket. A quintet of the Las Vegas Youth Philharmonic will perform as guests enjoy a German dinner, Riesling wine, as well as speeches relating to the Fall of the Wall. The grand finale will be at the end of the event, where Honorary Consul Adrian, along with VIP guests, will tear down that wall. Pieces of the wall will be sold off that night, benefiting UNLV's "Sigrid Sommer Scholarship Fund", that allows UNLV students to study one semester free in Germany.
The exhibition's main Sponsor is Condor Airlines, providing nonstop service between Frankfurt and Las Vegas. For tickets to the dinner event contact 702-873-6717 or [email protected].