Interactive book celebrates the anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

The German publishing house arsEdition celebrates the anniversary year 2009 with a very special project. Das grosse Deutschlandbuch (The book of Germany) is an interactive deluxe tome for the whole family. Special effects, fascinating images and well researched texts accompany the reader on a vibrant journey through Germany's history, culture and geography, and highlight the country in a fun and entertaining way.

2009 was a great year for Germany. The 9th of November marked the twentieth anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall — an occasion that was celebrated throughout Germany. No wonder — the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 changed the lives in Germany like no other event and heralded the reunification of West Germany (FRG) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

In a year in which Germany is looking back upon the events that sealed its future 20 years ago, the country itself is the really big issue. The book of Germany invites children, parents and grandparents to engage with their home and get to know Germany in all its facets. The unique arsEdition specifications — flip images, pop-ups, booklets, photo slides and flaps — provide plenty of fun.

Even complex historical events are explained in an accessible manner, for instance how the Berlin Wall was built within days in 1961. The GDR dictatorship commanded this wall as a so-called "anti-fascist protective wall" against the West. All around the wall, mines were laid and border guards were instructed to shoot anyone who tried to escape. In 2009, Germany pays tribute to all the GDR citizens who had to pay with their lives for their desire for freedom.

Today, the Fall of the Berlin Wall stands for personal freedom, national community and political openness. It also started the process of reunification. On the 3rd of October 1990, the GDR and FRG finally became one country, and since then the German Unification day is celebrated every year as a public holiday. In 2010, Germany is going to celebrate it for the twentieth time — another major anniversary!

If you really want to see what the book looks like, check out the YouTube link here.