Setting sail together - the celebrations to mark the Day of German Unity
On the Day of German Unity, Germany celebrates freedom, peace and democracy. Germany’s national holiday will be celebrated in the picturesque town of Schwerin in 2024.
Why is Schwerin hosting the national holiday festivities?
The Day of German Unity celebrates the officialreunification of Germany that resulted from the GDR’s accession to the Federal Republic of Germany, which entered into legal force on 3 October 1990. Traditionally, the celebrations of the Day of German Unityare held in one of Germany’s 16 federal states each year. The host in each case is whicheverfederal state currently holds the presidency of the Bundesrat, the upper house of the German parliament. In 2024, it is the turn of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and its capital Schwerin. This is the third time the celebrations will be held here, as the state already hosted the festivities in 1992 and 2007. This year’s motto is “Setting sail together: jointly strengthening democracy and diversity.”
Where will Schwerin celebrate the Day of German Unity?
Schwerin’s most famous landmark will also be the main location for the festivities: Schwerin Castle. The traditional “Ländermeile” (state mile), on which the federal states will be presented, will begin at the castle. The “Festmeile” (festive mile), which presents Germany’s central constitutional bodies - the Bundesrat, the German Bundestag, the Federal Government and the Federal Constitutional Court - is roughly two kilometres long and passes several of the lakes that lend the city its particular charm.
What does the host have to say about the Day of German Unity?
State premier Manuela Schwesig says that courageous citizens in East Germany fought hard for the right to live in freedom, peace and democracy today, and that this deserves to be celebrated time and again. “Welcome to the smallest but also the most beautiful state capital in Germany,” says Schwerin’s Mayor Rico Badenschier. While the former is a fact, the latter is just an opinion - though one that certainly has some merit.
Fun fact: What does a World Heritage site have to do with the unity celebrations?
Schwerin Castle was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO just in time for the celebrations - at the end of July 2024. The listing applies not only to the castle itself, but to the entire residence ensemble. Meaning that German unity will be celebrated at the heart of a World Heritage site: concerts will be staged in the Old Park, while the castle itself will form the backdrop for a spectacular light show that will tell the story of the Peaceful Revolution and of German unity.
