Reflections from New College Society’s Visit to Berlin

Earlier in November, members of the New College Society visited Berlin for a weekend to connect with each other and delve into the city’s Vergangenheitsbewältigung (literally, ‘coming to terms with the past’). 

Old Member and eminent art historian Neil MacGregor (1964) illuminated Germany’s past, as reflected in its cultural and architectural infrastructures. His guided walking tour around Berlin considered, among other things, the politicised reconstruction of the Royal Palace façade in the form of the Humboldt Forum. MacGregor highlighted symbols of Berlin’s history as ‘Athens of the North’ and explored the significance of sculptures which ‘honour particular narratives of East German identity’. 

We were also delighted to have award-winning author, columnists and foreign affairs specialist, John Kampfner, as a guest speaker. John, husband of New College Old Member, Lucy Ash (1980), introduced his latest book, In Search of Berlin: The Story of a Reinvented City. 

Attendees had a chance to visit the Gedenkstätte Deutscher Widerstand, or the German Resistance Centre) as well as capitalising on Berlin’s ‘Museum Sunday’, where anyone can visit the city’s museums free of charge. 

New College’s Warden, Miles Young, commented on the visit: 

Our enormous thanks go to Neil MacGregor, who brilliantly led our Saturday in Berlin.  We had over some 80 members of the New College Society and their partners and friends.  To understand Berlin from the inside, and from someone who is completely involved in the process of constructing the Humboldt Centre, was not just a privilege but hugely enjoyable.

Guests reflected on the ‘fascinating and most enjoyable programme’, particularly appreciating ‘the opportunity to meet people across the generations’ and ‘deep-dive into this city “in the making”’. (Quoted feedback from New College Society members) 

Guests attending talk by Old Member Neil MacGregor (pictured right)

Find out more about the New College Society here.