Ecumenical service for the Day of German Unity in Bremen

The central celebrations on the Day of German Unity began with an ecumenical service. Around 1,000 guests of honor gathered in Bremen Cathedral - including Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Bundestag President Julia Klöckner.

The service, which was broadcast live on ZDF and shown on several screens on the festival grounds, was dedicated to the theme of strength - in keeping with the motto of the celebrations "Many strengths - one country".

How the Bremen Town Musicians become a role model

The Bremen town musicians from the famous fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm - donkey, dog, cat and rooster - are so different and that is precisely why they depend on each other, preached Bernd Kuschnerus, church president of the Bremen Evangelical Church. Together they discover their strengths. «We can't get any further alone. I think it’s the same for us too.” Charity means recognizing the gifts of others and using them for one another. “There is a strength in the spirit of charity that sustains.”

Osnabrück Bishop Dominicus Meier recalled that the Bremen Town Musicians lived in a time of change and had to reorient themselves. In the fairy tale, all four old animals are threatened by sale or violent death and therefore band together. «We also live in such times. Habits, structures, and contexts of life that previously gave us security are reaching their limits or are no longer sustainable.” Many people felt overwhelmed, powerless or withdrawn. They must not be left alone, appealed Meier. “Let us understand that unity and cohesion only exist where people live it with attitude and conviction and stand against division and polarization.”