Obama to Perform Speech at Berlin Victory Column

John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan were the only two U.S. presidents that have performed political speeches at the Brandenburg Gate. Before German Chancellor Angela Merkel had her say, Obama was set to be the first presidential candidate to do so.

But for Merkel, simply being a presidential candidate wasn’t enough.

"If the candidate — or any other candidate — is elected, then (he) is welcome to speak as president before the Brandenburg Gate," said Merkel, according to the Associated Press. In addition, she said that the historic Gate would not be an inappropriate venue for “electioneering.”

And while it was a bold and ambitious vision using Germany’s most recognizable symbol of division and reunification as a backdrop, Obama wisely chose to look elsewhere.

After a few alternative locations were considered, including Berlin’s Tempelhof airport, the location for Obama’s speech was revealed on Sunday – Berlin’s Siegessäule. Another significant landmark of Berlin, the one-column structure stands less than two kilometres east of the Brandenburg Gate.

This time, Obama’s choice of venue sparked controversy again. For some, the 80-metre monument erected to commemorate Prussian war victories wasn’t seen as an ideal venue to host his speech, set to address historic U.S.-German partnerships and transatlantic relations.

Speaking to Bild am Sontag, Free Democrats member Rainer Bruderle questioned if “Barack Obama was advised correctly in his choice of the Siegessäule as the site to hold a speech on his vision for a more cooperative world.”

Again, even some in the Merkel camp had their reservations about the location.

“The Siegessäule in Berlin is dedicated to a victory over neighbours who are today our European friends and allies. It is a problematic symbol,” said Andreas Schockenhoff of Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union.

But despite its historical context, Merkel herself decided that the location was appropriate. Today, the site plays host to numerous street festivals that promote peace and cooperation amongst people. The column lies directly in the centre of Strasse des 17. Juni (17th June Street) where Berlin’s annual Love Parade takes place. It is also the venue for the Fanmeile, organized by soccer fans during major tournaments.

“We now take the venue as it is,” said Merkel.

Berlin will be the first stop of Obama's European tour, where his speech is expected to draw crowds of up to one million people, according to Germany's Spiegel. Other European visits for Barack Obama include stops in Paris and London.

Berlin's Victory Column

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