Beate Reuber has been working in the Gardens of the World for 26 years , and to her, the gardens are her children.
"I always say I have ten gardens and a son," said Mz. Reuber, with a smile on her face. She is always quite passionate while talking about the Gardens of the World, located in eastern Berlin.
The Gardens of the World were built in 1987, for the 750th anniversary of Eastern Berlin. Later, gardens inspired in different cultures were gradually created, like the Chinese garden, Japanese garden, Oriental garden,and Christian garden.
"De Yue Yuan," the Chinese garden in the Gardens of the World in Berlin, Germany. /CGTN Photo
Nowadays, the Gardens of the World provide visitors not only with diverse cultures, garden arts, but also a place to enjoy a moment of peace and meditation in daily life.
The Chinese Garden "De Yue Yuan", occupies an area of 27,000 square meters, and was completed in October 2000, after three years of construction. It adopts all the artistic characteristics of the traditional Chinese garden, from the pavilions, terraces, and pagodas to the landscape decorated with trees and flowers.
According to Reuber, even before its completion, the Chinese garden was already one of the most popular gardens. For the public, it is a chance of embracing a totally different culture, which combines the past and the present and at the same time keeps as much authenticity as possible.
Besides the construction, what the Chinese garden brought to Berlin residents was also a different way of life, said Reuber. According to her, there was a tea house in the Chinese garden, ran by a Chinese garden architect.
A Berlin resident is trying tea ceremony in the Gardens of the World in Berlin, Germany. /VCG Photo
The gardens also hold various festive events together with the China Cultural Center in Berlin. The Moon-Festival celebration is one of the most loved.
"The gardens are always quiet and have a sense of freedom," said Reuber. "You have something for the eyes, for the ears, and for your soul. When you walk in the garden, it's a bit like a journey through the world, through different countries and religions."
She said when staying in the gardens, people could forget about the frictions, wars, and stop worrying for a while, just enjoying the tranquility.
"Culture has the power to influence," said Reuber. However, "changes in the people always has something to do with the people itself."
The gardens may be able to combine all different cultures, dissolve misunderstandings, bring a sense of peace. But it always up to the people themselves to decide whether they are going to embrace and communicate with them.
At least, there is a chance.
Reporter: Ai Yan
Videographer: Ai Yan
Videoeditor: Zhang Chunnan
Graphic designer: Gao Hongmei