ROTTERDAM.- From 1961 the Berlin Wall was regarded as the most frightening border symbol between two worlds. After the fall of the Wall in 1989, large parts disappeared as rubble and grit in road construction projects. It is also estimated that millions of small pieces of the Berlin Wall scattered worldwide as a historical reminder of a closed era. More rare are the complete fragments that were once part of this hated border between countries, the border between the West and East, the Communist and free world.

For the future FENIX, the philantropic foundation Stichting Droom en Daad was able to acquire one of the complete fragments at an auction during the BRAFA art fair in Brussels last weekend. Here five parts of the Wall were auctioned separately, each for the benefit of various charities. This auction raised a total of € 326,000, the piece for the FENIX was hammered out at € 62,000.

Rotterdam was the port of departure for three million emigrants, leaving Europa on their way to the New World, mostly via Ellis Island. In the future setup, de FENIX wants to tell both the story of the emigrants then and migration now. In addition to historical objects and documentary material, artworks are also shown. The selected objects for the Fenix ​​are visually strong and will show the story of migration and border crossing of the past and present, from Rotterdam, to Rotterdam, and elsewhere in the world. The FENIX thus tells a universal and timeless story.

The FENIX is under construction and being renovated to a design by MAD Architects. The opening is scheduled for 2023.