German unity is celebrated in Schwerin for three days. A highlight is imminent with a central celebration in the Mecklenburg State Theater.
The celebrations for German Unity Day continue today in Schwerin. The highlight is a ceremony with 450 invited guests in the Mecklenburg State Theater, to which Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier are also expected. In addition to Scholz, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) will also speak.
Traditionally, the ceremony is preceded by an ecumenical service. Sermons by state bishop Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt and archbishop Heiner Koch are planned in the cathedral of the state capital of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
As current President of the Federal Council, Schwesig is hosting the central unity celebration. Yesterday she opened the three-day community festival in downtown Schwerin. All federal states, the Bundestag, the Bundesrat, ministries and many institutions will present themselves with their own pavilions and stands. There is also a diverse cultural offering. This evening, pop singer Roland Kaiser will perform in front of Schwerin Castle, the landmark of the world heritage city.
Increased security precautions
At the start of the celebrations, Schwesig praised the courage and determination of many people in East Germany who brought down the SED dictatorship and the Wall with their peaceful protests in the fall of 1989. “That was the beginning of the path to German unity,” she said. Even after 34 years, there is reason to be happy and celebrate, emphasized Schwesig, whose one-year term as President of the Federal Council is now coming to an end. The motto of the unity celebration is “Set sail as one”.
Yesterday afternoon, Chancellor Scholz invited people to a public discussion in Schwerin. Around 160 people came to question the head of government. The range of topics ranged from care to hospital reform to the discussion about a ban on the AfD. Scholz was cautious about the latter. That’s not on the agenda now, he said.
In response to knife attacks in the recent past, increased security requirements apply to the celebrations. The police are on duty with a large contingent.
Program for the Day of German Unity
Source: Stern
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