Citizens' festival for German Unity Day opens in Bremen

The citizens' festival for German Unity Day in Bremen opened with a symbolic rocket launch. “That was a surprise for me too,” said Federal Council President and Bremen’s Prime Minister Andreas Bovenschulte (SPD) after the official starting signal. The celebration will last three days and up to 450,000 visitors are expected.

The motto of the festival is “Many Strengths – One Country,” said Bovenschulte. "We tackle things together, we stick together and together we shape a good future - and that's what this community festival should stand for."

In bright sunshine, the visitors counted down together. Then a 17 meter high replica of the Ariane launch vehicle, which is being built in Bremen, among other places, took off symbolically. “This means we are officially opening the community festival,” shouted Bovenschulte.

What visitors can expect

Around 800 events are planned until Sunday - including free concerts, discussions, guided tours and exhibitions. The constitutional bodies Bundesrat, Bundestag, Federal Government and Federal Constitutional Court show their work. The federal states invite you to enjoy, listen and discover.

Numerous guests of honor from politics, business and culture are expected at the official ceremony on Saturday; including Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU), some ministers and the heads of government of the federal states.