Saturday marks 35 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. A German political scientist who spoke to NHK on the eve of the anniversary stressed the need to protect freedom and democracy in the face of attempts in Europe to sow new divisions.

The wall was 160 kilometers long and surrounded what was then West Berlin. It was built during the Cold War and dismantled on November 9, 1989.

A Polish civic movement called Solidarity spearheaded a campaign for democracy in the Eastern bloc and is widely credited with its instrumental role in the fall of the wall.

Basil Kerski, a political scientist and museum director in Poland who continues to educate the public about the group’s activities, reiterated the significance of the wall’s collapse.

He also expressed concern about the spread in Europe of far-right parties that advocate nationalism and reject diversity.

Regarding Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, Kerski said human rights and international solidarity would no longer be important.

He also warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin would try to test NATO’s stability.

Kerski urged the world to uphold the importance of peace and human rights.