Citizens' festival for German Unity Day started in Bremen

With the opening of the Citizens' Festival, the three-day celebrations surrounding German Unity Day begin today in Bremen. The incumbent Federal Council President and Bremen Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte speaks on a stage near the Bremen Town Musicians.

The SPD politician mentioned this as a comparison in the joint morning magazine of ARD and ZDF: "Four donkeys wouldn't have done it either." Real strength comes from different perspectives. After 36 years, the differences have become much smaller and "overall, our society has developed positively throughout Germany," said Bovenschulte. Differences remained, that was normal and “not that bad.” The mayor told the dpa news agency that he expected a day of “lived German unity.”

As the state chairing the Federal Council, Bremen is organizing the celebrations this year under the motto “Many Strengths – One Country”. Many politicians are expected at the official ceremony tomorrow, Saturday - including Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU).

"Unity does not mean equality"

On the occasion of October 3rd, the President of the Bundestag called for differences to be tolerated. “Unity does not mean equality,” explained Klöckner. German unity involved different experiences and perspectives. “Unity means enduring these differences, staying in conversation with one another and respecting common rules and basic rights,” said Klöckner.

Democracy and parliamentarism require contradiction and debate, "but also the willingness to endure necessary impositions and to make compromises." Everyone is challenged here. The President of the Bundestag also appealed to look at the traces of division 36 years after reunification and to see "the many good things" that "we have achieved together".

More than 700 events and country mile

More than 700 events are planned in the Hanseatic city until Sunday - including free concerts, theater, discussions, guided tours and exhibitions. A musical highlight is the performance of the Fantastischen Vier on Saturday evening. Around 400,000 visitors are expected.

There are more than 100 stages and stands in the city center and on the banks of the Weser. The 15 other federal states present themselves on a state mile. The constitutional bodies Bundesrat, Bundestag, Federal Government and Federal Constitutional Court also show their work.