10/03/2025October 3, 2025
German Unity Day — Celebrations marking 35 years since reunification
Germany is celebrating what is considered to be its most important public holiday, that being .
On October 3, 1990, East Germany and West Germany united to become the Federal Republic of Germany, ending a separation of the two since World War II.
Each year on this day, one of the federal states organizes a larger, official festival — typically in its state capital.
This year’s main event is being held the German city of Saarbrücken, in the southwestern state of Saarland bordering France.
The official program runs from October 2 to October 4 and promises “entertainment, art and culture, culinary specialties and tourism, as well as democratic exchange.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will be marking the day along with guest of honor, France’s Persident Emmanuel Macron.
“35 years of German unity are a reason to celebrate. The reunification was not a given, but the work of courageous people who stood up for freedom and democracy,” Merz posted on social media platform X, ahead of the event
“It remains our task to come together: in East, West, North, and South. Our diversity makes us strong,” the German leader added.
Merz will later head to eastern Germany in the evening for a concert in Halle an der Saale.
The post Germany news: Merz and Macron mark 35 years of German unity appeared first on Deutsche Welle.