A Quest for the Uncliche

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Un-mundane Mondays – Part: VI

A new month has started, and a few weeks down the line, half of 2020 would have gone by. Let’s try to soften the “blues” of the same.

Photograph

The Bicorn worn by Napoleon Bonaparte himself, now kept in Deutsches Historisches Museum, Berlin Copyright: Abirbhav Mukherjee

Where

Berlin, the Capital of Germany. This city needs no introduction and perhaps occupies the Top of the Mind space during any reference to Germany. Berlin has been the Capital of Germany from 1417 CE to 1945 CE. It resumed its position as the Capital of Unified Germany since 1991 CE and remained so since then.

Berlin may be a great tourist destination full of a rich history, gastronomy, parks and beautiful sights and scenes. To me, however, Berlin is an idea – a living example of Hope, Perseverance, Resistance and the ultimate Victory. Berlin represents the indomitable spirit of the people – one who refused to give up. I felt that inexplicable yet overwhelming adrenaline rush and goosebumps every second of my time spent in Berlin. This feeling will be the same even in my 100th visit to this place..

What

First of all, my sincere apologies for the picture quality. I couldn’t click a decent picture because of clicking the object within glass walls, that too from a distance.

This picture is taken in the Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum) in Berlin. You might be wondering what’s so special with this hat.

It turns out that this hat, or bicorne, was worn by none other than the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte himself. Yes, that’s right.

Napoleon Bonaparte usually made several copies of these bicornes and took them with himself in his military campaigns. Nepoleon however lost the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 CE to a combined British, Dutch and Prussian (German) forces, which put an end to his career. Napoleon was caught and exiled. This particular bicorne was captured by the Prussian major Heinrich Eugen Freiherr von Keller from the Imperial Carriage of Napoleon in Waterloo. The bicorne came to Berlin as a trophy of the war.

This is a relic from such an important event in world history, which perhaps altered its course once and for all. I felt so surreal and close to History and the Battle of Waterloo, seeing this relic. Who could have thought that such a simple hat would be a witness to such an important phase of History?

I can daresay that if a history enthusiast takes a simple walk along any random street of Berlin, he or she is bound to feel goosebumps and adrenaline rush coursing his/her veins with every step taken. Berlin’s vibes makes one feel that the City is very much alive – inspiring the resident never to give up, no matter what. It wordlessly yet firmly guides the inquisitive person across its streets and along the river Spree to cherish the rich heritage of the city, lays bare its painful scars and proudly showcases what the future holds in store for the city and for a beautiful and united Germany.

My Humble Poem on Berlin

Oh! What a sorry sight to behold
Destruction and desolation doth lie here untold..

The people, beaten to the brow
Now await, helpless, as they are fragmented and torn to the core..

Oh! What a sorrow and an agonizing fall
When brothers, sisters and friends are torn apart by an Evil Wall..

The will of an ancestor did stitch a Holy Empire
Will the will ever return, to stitch the heart's bier?

For it is easy to sit, easy to remain torn
Arduous however it is, to fuse, to be reborn..

The rebirth happens, the Will does return
As the very people, for their kith and kin beckon

In this hallowed ground shall a Republic be formed
Uniting the people. Now the Wall shall be scorned

The Country shall rise, for the Evil Wall now falls
As cries of Freedom now echo the Reich's hallowed halls..!!

As the Phoenix rose from ashes, so did the Great Barbarossa from odds untold
The Unified Republic now rises from the walls broken, brimming with hopes and glorious tales untold..

When

The picture was taken in June 2019 CE

Equipment

Nokia 6.1 Mobile Phone Camera

Hope you liked the Napoleon’s bicorne and my poem for Berlin.

Berlin is like an ocean of history and culture where one can find relics of German and World history to a rising futuristic utopia. As I said earlier, Berlin occupies a special place in my heart and shall continue to do so forever.

I need to take a leave and listen go listen to Deutschlandlied. My brain kept looping this gem of a song (which by the way is the National Anthem of Germany) over and over in my head as long as I was in Berlin, and I am almost subconsciously humming it’s tunes as I am writing this.

Looking forward to interacting more with you and “Make Mondays un-mundane”..

Cheers..!!

© Abirbhav Mukherjee. All the pictures / videos posted in this article are my own unless otherwise mentioned.

23 comments

  3. Hey Abir.
    How you doing?

    Now..here comes the trip to Berlin…then let me tell you…I love this city… though..I haven’t been to this place…but this city fascinates me.

    This Napoleon’s hat…so many stories behind it….and that poem …it is so good. Berlin..is full of history…full of foresights.
    And this Napoleon Bonaparte…I have read so many stories of him…in my childhood…in moral science books😅
    This was a treat to read ..!!
    Great Job Abir😊
    Take care..
    Have an amazing week ahead.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Anushka once again for taking out your time to read it.. 😊😊
      Always appreciate your lovely comments.. 😊

      Coming to Napoleon. Isn’t it fascinating to come so close to the History you have been reading since childhood?? 😊😊 I share the same enthusiasm.. 😊😊
      (But I didn’t understand how come Napoleon figured in your “moral science” lectures” .. 😉 )

      Take a lot of time, preferably 10 days time with you when you pay a visit to Berlin. I am pretty sure you will love every moment spent there in this gem of a city.. ❤ ❤

      Thank you once again and take care..!!
      Have a great week.. 😊

      Like

      Reply

      1. It’s my pleasure to read your work Abir💙
        This Napoleon Bonaparte is very famous in history books..but some of his.. inspiring stories where also mentioned in our moral science books too😅(in my school)
        I will Abir. Someday… definitely..!!
        With your every post ..you are adding a new place in my wishlist..to travel.
        Thank you so much ✨😊

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

        1. Of course, Napoleon is famous in History.. His relation with moral “science” is still unfathomable to me.. 😛 Don’t remember studying about him in any of my moral “science” lectures.. 😛 You are from ICSE?

          And yes, I have published a new article today.. Would love to have your reviews as always.. 😀 😀

          Thank you so much Anushka.. 🙂 🙂

          Like

          Reply

  4. Great report and an excellent poem. 🕊️🧡
    There are still many walls in this world, built of prejudice, clichés and exclusion. But each and every one of us can contribute to tearing them down.
    Best regards! 🌷🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Madam for your lovely comments.. ☺️🤗

      Yes, there do exist many walls of lies, doubts, prejudices, clichés, exclusion, etc.. We can and we will tear those walls down soon to let happiness, truth, justice, inclusion prevail.. ♥️🥰

      Thank you so much Madam once again.. ☺️🌷

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Vielen Dank Frau Frau. Ich fühle mich geehrt, Ihre Bewertung zu meinem Artikel über Berlin zu haben.. ☺️☺️

      Für mich ist “Berlin eine Reise wert, die sich über ein ganzes Leben erstreckt”..

      Da Sie aus Deutschland kommen, können Sie dieses Gefühl besser erklären. Ich liebe Berlin. Ich liebe Deutschland.. ♥️🇩🇪

      Vielen Dank Frau für Ihre wundervolle Bewertung.

      Beste Wünsche für Sie und Ihr schönes Land.. ☺️☺️
      Abir

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  7. Napoleon s Hat, I would love to see it. I liked to poem, it’s nice ode to Berlin. I would love to visit Berlin. Hope to some time. I am watching a series called Babylon Berlin, and it’s a based on a book and fictional account of Berlin during post World War I. It’s very interesting. Thanks for sharing this.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. It’s great to have you back to the blogging universe after eons.. 🙂 🙂 Thank you for your lovely comment Madam..!!

      Yes, you should definitely visit Berlin and make sure you stay only in Berlin for atleast 7-10 days, though that would still be grossly insufficient.

      Now I shall go and see your recommendation.. where is it? Netflix? I am sure it will be interesting going by your description.. 🙂

      Thank you so much Madam once again.. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Thank you.. I have been a bit quiet 🤫 on blogging world. Berlin is definitely on my list after this. Babylon Berlin is on Sky here I think it is on Netflix. It is based on a book.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

        1. Well, it’s OK to be quiet in the real world (which I usually am, but not much recommended) but not in the blogging world..
          Hope you are safe and healthy..
          Noted your suggestion. Now I shall see what Babylon Berlin is all about on Netflix.. 😊😊
          Thank you Madam for your suggestion.. 😊😊

          Like

          Reply

    1. Thank you so much Madam for your lovely comment.. ☺️☺️
      Indeed, Berlin is overflowing with History and I am sure you will like it since you are interested in History. ☺️
      Thank you once again.. ☺️

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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