35 years of German unity: Celebrate in Brandenburg with music and courage!

35 years of German unity: Celebrate in Brandenburg with music and courage!

October 3rd is not just a date, but a piece of history that is celebrated in Germany. On October 4, 2025, the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Day of German Unity took place in Brandenburg an der Havel. This celebration was organized by the city of Brandenburg an der Havel in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Brandenburg. Dr. Michael Kolkmann, President of the Rotary Club, moderated the event and guided the guests through the varied program.

The event was opened by the cathedral priest Susanne Graap, who spoke impressively about the importance of democracy. In his speech, Mayor Steffen Scheller emphasized how closely freedom, unity and democracy are linked. At a time when there are many discussions about the future of democracy, he highlighted the developments of the last 35 years in Brandenburg, where, among other things, schools were modernized and clubs were strengthened. Anna Loos, a native of Brandenburg, was also particularly honored and was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit for her commitment.

Democracy under scrutiny

The highlight of the ceremony was held by Prof. Dr. Stephan Bröchler gave the speech entitled “Democracy on trial”. During his speech, he noted that although our democracy is not in an existential crisis, it does face challenges. This is an idea that has a lot of resonance in times of political uncertainty.

At the end of the event, the European anthem and the national anthem were played before the official part ended with the guests enjoying waffles and wine in the cloister of the cathedral. This combination of contemplative ceremony and social gathering symbolizes the spirit of unity that has been celebrated not only today, but also in past years.

A look at the celebrations in Germany

German Unity Day was also celebrated in Saarbrücken on October 3, 2025, with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Bundestag and Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz in attendance. This public holiday commemorates German reunification in 1990, when the GDR acceded to the Basic Law of the Federal Republic. Berlin, as the federal capital, played a central role in the celebrations, and this year too large crowds were expected to celebrate the day in style.

What is particularly interesting is that French President Emmanuel Macron spoke at the ceremony, which was the first time in over 20 years that a foreign head of state gave a speech at the event. The day was traditionally celebrated in the federal state that holds the Federal Council Presidency; this year it was Saarland. For the school and business world, this day meant closed doors.

The Day of German Unity also has a special meaning in the present, and a new approach to remembering the events of the past is made clear by the “Future Center for German Unity and European Transformation” construction project, which was presented in April 2025. This 200 million euro project is intended to provide deeper insights into the history and consequences of German division and reunification.

In summary, German Unity Day not only shows the hundred-year-old pursuit of freedom and unity, but also the challenges that a vibrant democracy brings with it. Whether in Brandenburg or Saarbrücken, the celebrations allow us to rediscover and live on the values ​​of democracy and unity.