BERLIN - A VIDEO address from US President Obama provided the icing on the cake to celebrations marking 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall sounded the death knell for communism in Europe.

In the surprise message beamed into ceremonies at the Brandenburg Gate, once on the border between East and West Berlin, Mr Obama told cheering crowds: 'Even in the face of tyranny. people insisted that the world could change.'

Mr Obama's address came after German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who grew up in the communist German Democratic Republic (GDR), on Monday led a throng leaders through the Brandenburg Gate for the climax of a day of emotional celebrations.

More than 100,000 revellers braved wet November weather to see Ms Merkel and leaders including Russian President Dmitry Medvedev give rousing speeches before 1,000 giant dominoes on the former path of the wall were toppled.

With former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and ex-Polish president Lech Walesa also present, the crowd was treated to a live orchestra, a fireworks display and music from Bon Jovi. The Scorpions hit Wind of Change, which became the unofficial theme tune of the fall of the Berlin Wall, also rang out through the drizzle.

'Let us never forget November 9, 1989, nor the sacrifices that made it possible,' Mr Obama said. 'Together, let us keep the light of freedom burning bright for all who live in the darkness of tyranny and believe in the hope of a brighter day.' -- AFP

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