A lecture as part of the cultural programme complementing the exhibition The Berlin Wall. A World Divided , open to the public in Madrid until 12 January 2025.
EOn 8 October, the Canal Foundation’s conference room became a space for analysis, history and debate with the conference entitled ‘The Promise of the West: Eastern Europe after the Wall’, given by Mira Milosevich. This event, organised as part of the cultural programme of the exhibition ‘The Berlin Wall. A World Divided’, brought together an audience interested in understanding the complex transformations in Eastern Europe after the fall of the Wall in 1989.
Mira Milosevich, renowned Senior Analyst for Russia, Eurasia and the Balkans at the Elcano Royal Institute, guided the audience through a fascinating exploration of the geopolitical, social and cultural effects that marked the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a new world order.
The legacy of the Wall and the transition of Eastern Europe
Milosevich began her talk by reflecting on the symbolism of the Berlin Wall, not just as a physical barrier, but as an emblem of the ideological divide that defined much of the 20th century. The fall of the Wall marked a historic moment; it was the catalyst for profound transformations in Eastern Europe. Countries such as Poland, Hungary, Romania and the Baltic states began processes of transition to democracy and market economies, seeking to align themselves with Western ideals of freedom and prosperity.
Milosevich stressed, however, that this ‘promise of the West’ did not always translate into a straightforward reality. Post-communist nations faced enormous challenges: economic inequalities, social tensions and, in some cases, a resurgence of nationalist narratives that complicated their integration into the European project.
Has the promise been kept?
One of the most striking points of the conference was the critical analysis of the fulfilment of this promise. Milosevich addressed key questions: what does it mean to be part of the West today, to what extent has Eastern Europe succeeded in fulfilling its post-communist aspirations? In this respect, she underlined the persistent inequalities between Eastern and Western European countries, both in economic terms and in perceptions of cultural and political belonging.
She also discussed the role of external actors, such as Russia, in the region. The conference made clear that while the fall of the Wall marked a moment of hope, current geopolitical tensions have rekindled old fears and questions about the future of Eastern Europe.
Thus, the conference provided a rigorous analysis that provided a space to reflect on the parallels between the past and the present, and the exhibition ‘The Berlin Wall. A World Divided’ served as an ideal backdrop for this debate, connecting the historical events of more than three decades ago with Europe’s contemporary challenges.
You can watch the full conference on Youtube
