Berlin's "Denkmals" (Memorials)

During the walking tours I've done in Berlin, one of the main topics has been how Germany is confronting the ugly parts of its past. When I was here last year, it was the 80th anniversary of Hitler's rise to power and 75 years since Kristallnacht, often regarded as the event starting the Nazi anti-Jewish pogrom. There were informative displays everywhere reminding both citizens and visitors of these events but I wondered if they were just temporary.  While some were, there are still plenty of reminders and new permanent ones are being added all the time. The sign at the entrance to the Wittembergplatz station reminding everyone to never forget the places of terror and listing the camps remains. There are displays at the Typography of Terror depicting recent historical events although different from last year. Finally, there are dozens of permanent memorials - Denkmal, in German. Of course, the most massive one is the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe but there are others permanently honouring victims of Nazi persecution including the Roma (gypsies) and homosexuals. Slates in the ground by the Reichstag honour the 96 politicians who tried to oppose Hitler"s initial rise to power (how different would the world have been if they"d been successful!).  From more recent history, crosses in front of the Reichstag and in other places remember those who tried to escape to West Berlin during the Cold War to cite a few. Wandering the streets here, it is impossible to ignore Berlin's past. Then, you turn a corner and see the fabulous modern architecture of Potsdamerplatz and are confident of its bright future.