About Valeska

Valeska was born in 1975, in former West-Berlin. Being surrounded by the Berlin wall seemed to her as natural as having to travel three hours through transit (former East Germany) in order to leave the city. What nowadays is unbelievable, was real for over 28 years! During that time, West-Berlin developed its own “charm” by being an artificial enclave of high international political interest, subsidized by West-Germany, and supported by the three Allies (USA, France, and Great Britain). The other half of the city, East-Berlin, served during that time as the capital of the former GDR and became the Russian Sector.

Growing up, she has always been interested in the history of Berlin. She holds a Master's degree in Art History, with two minors in Housing Preservation as well as Business Economics. The focus of her studies was on Architectural History, especially Berlin. An architectural guide 'Embassies in Berlin', by Kerstin Englert and Juergen Tietz, was published in 2003. As a student, Valeska was one of the co-authors, describing Berlin's new established embassies that had been in Bonn, the former capital of West-Germany, until the reunification in 1990.

Such a diverse and approachable architecture of a German city is nowhere better found than in Berlin - and until today, one can learn to read and understand Berlin and its history by viewing its monuments and buildings. For decades, the city has been the playfield for several theories of urban planning, and urban zeitgeist.

For several years, Valeska was employed at the Federal Government's Press and Information Bureau (Bundespresseamt), where she worked for the Visitor Service Department. Her tasks included the organization and supervision of Berlin sightseeing tours with a focus on German politics and architecture for a group size of 50 persons for one to four days. The work demanded broadly educated, positive spirited, well organized, and stress resistant employees. The interaction with people of different backgrounds, the dynamic atmosphere, and the focus on presenting a place to which she felt attached was fulfilling both personally and professionally.

Valeska met her American husband Robert at the University of Maine, 1994. After having lived together for 14 years in Berlin, they both decided it was now time to live the “American way of life”. 2014 they moved with their two kids to Freeport, Maine. At least once a year, they try to go back to Berlin, Germany.