Today is a national holiday in Germany, Tag der Deutschen Einheit or German Unity Day. Like every year, I feel it is almost forgotten until it is upon us. It honors the fall of the Berlin Wall and the rejoining of East to West Germany. So it is strange that a day commemorating such an important occasion is often treated as an afterthought.
Maybe it is because the date itself seems somewhat arbitrary. In a country with such layered and complicated history, choosing a neutral date can be a challenge. Unevenly split between East Germany’s national day (Tag der Republik) on October 7 and the little commemorated June 17 national holiday in West Germany, October 3rd was chosen as the date in the 1990 Einigungsvertrag (German Unity Treaty). The actual date the Wall fell on November 9th 1989 was ruled out as it coincided with the infamous events of Kristallnacht, the anti-Jewish pogrom in 1938. (Refer to Hyde’s full write-up on the date and significance in the first link.) The date of November 9th is still celebrated, however, on important anniversaries.
The Berlin Wall at the Brandenburg Gate in November 1989. PHOTO: Lear 21 (Wikimedia Commons)
Once the date was selected, there was still the issue of how exactly to celebrate. Only hardcore nationalists (which usually translated into Neo-Nazis) could be caught flag waving in Germany. Patriotism is a complicated subject in Germany even today. One of the only socially acceptable time to sport a little face paint or a flag at international sporting events. So, what is one to do for the holiday?
How to Celebrate the Day of German Unity
Every year I see newbies to Germany post questions asking, “So, what do you actually do on German Unity Day?”. Coming from the USA, I was similarly confused in my first years in Germany. I live in Berlin and it seems natural the capitol would have the biggest celebration….right? Starting at the fitting location of Brandenburger Tor, there used to be a somewhat generic fair with all the typical booths that are trotted out whenever there is are events from Oktoberfest to Easter. There were Bratwurst and Bier stands, a concert near the Gate, and paid activities like the kiddie high-jump trampoline, and – of course – techno – but you would be hard-pressed to know this is a celebration of a reunited Germany unless you look closely. You certainly shouldn’t expect fireworks. This celebration has even fallen out of fashion and is no longer is held.
Far and away, the most popular way to celebrate the holiday is to use the long weekend for travel or a day to relax with friends and friends. There is also a really interesting initiative that uses this date to invite people into the mosques of Germany. Since 1997, Tag der offenen Moschee allows visitors to engage with the growing Muslim community and their places of worship.
The official celebration actually rotates locations and is hosted by the Länder (state) that is presiding over the Bundesrat. The official Bürgerfest (citizens festival) for 2022 is held in Erfurt in the state of Thuringia with an expected guest count of up to 120,000 people. Typical for the Fest, the weather is predicted to be rainy and windy and the vibe sounds a little gloomy with Thuringia state premier Bodo Ramelow opening his speech with talk of the looming energy crisis and ongoing war in Ukraine. Typisch Deutsch.
Other things people seem to always forget on this day, it is a national holiday which means closed grocery stores, government offices, and a day off of work. A reminder message on my company’s slack was met with several surprised thumbs up as people didn’t know it was a holiday and shopping at the grocery store on Saturday night can reach frenzied levels. Prepare yourself!
How to Commemorate the Wall on Germany Unity Day
If you have found yourself with a surprise day off and are looking for a way to commemorate the occasion, here are several ways I recommend connecting with the country’s once divided history.
Walk/cycle/explore the Mauerweg – Though most of the Berlin Wall has been removed, the route where it once ran is still a sight to see. This is changing quickly as Berlin and the surrounding area undergo rapid development, but the area surrounding the wall was once an oddly naked divide running through neighborhoods, fields, and around the wider city. Its 160 km make for the perfect route to tour the city’s surroundings, either as one epic journey or more slowly, section by section. I live right next to a section and have taught my daughter to ride her bike there, hidden Easter eggs in the grass, and admired the cherry blossoms every Spring.
Visit remaining sections of the Berlin Wall – As I noted above, much of the Berlin Wall has been removed, but that doesn’t mean it is totally gone. The East Side Gallery is the longest remaining section of the Wall (though it is being gobbled up by developers on the Spree), random chunks dot the city including Potsdamer Platz, and the phenomenal memorial from Bernauer Strasse to Nordbahnhof does an excellent job presenting the living history of the Berlin Wall and its effects.
Go to one of the many museums on the subject –
- Once you’ve wandered the Wall memorial at Bernauer, don’t forget to duck into the Visitor Center which presents arresting news reels from the time of the wall as well as an overview of the memorial site and stories from the people.
- Museum East Side Gallery is well located with a view of the Spree and Oberbaumbrucke, but less insightful than Bernauer.
- Mauermuseum – Haus am Checkpoint Charlie is a visitor-friendly location.
- Watchtowers are still somewhat hidden throughout the city. Keep an eye out as many have limited openings hours where you can go inside from the one around the corner at Potsdamer Platz to out in the open near Treptower Park.
Enjoy a Sporting Event – This is the one time you go truly wild with flags and face paint. Fussball (football or soccer games) are. safe bet this time of year. If there isn’t a live game, there is sure to be a televised event. Although you should only sport German colors if it is international game; otherwise stick with the specific German teams colors.
PHOTO: Arne Müseler / www.arne-mueseler.de
Prost over an extra day of Oktoberfest – A bonus day of Oktoberfest is thrown in every time this holiday lands at the end of the famed beer fest. Definitely a reason to raise your Mass!
Do as the Germans Do – Do like the Germans and do practically nothing today. As it is a Feiertag and thus a “quiet day” vacuuming, laundry, and throwing out your noisy glass bottles is discouraged. Eat like the Germans with a full German breakfast spread, hearty lunch, and Abendbrot (not forgetting the afternoon Kaffee und Kuchen, of course). If you are feeling adventurous, make plans to meet with friends at a Biergarten before the weather gets truly miserable.
What are you doing today to celebrate? Do you have tips on how you recognize a united Germany?
Seems a shame there isn’t a government backed celebration of such a historically significant date. Thank you for this article explaining the reunification and why it is so important.