Sombre mood as Germany marks 30 years of fall of Berlin Wall

Germany opened on Monday a week of festivities marking three decades since the fall of the Berlin Wall, but a hint of a return of the Cold War and the rise of nationalism is dampening the mood.

Leaders of former Cold War powers will be absent from anniversary festivities, as Donald Trump's America First, Britain's Brexit and Russia's resurgence put a strain on ties.

Gone, too, is the euphoric optimism for liberal democracy and freedom that characterised the momentous event on November 9, 1989, as Germany grapples with a surge in far-right support in its former communist states.

"The spirit of optimism" seen 30 years ago, or even five or 10 years ago, "is not perceivable" today, noted Berlin official Klaus Lederer, whose office spearheaded the festivities.

Issuing a warning against "the current situation in the world" as he launched the week of celebrations, Berlin mayor Michael Mueller said the German capital must show it stands for freedom.

"We fight against all forms of exclusion," .