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Berlin's governing mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) has warned of a growing division in German society.
"35 years of German unity are a reason to celebrate - and they oblige us to ensure cohesion in our society," he said.
"But we are also facing major challenges in Germany - in view of the global crises, the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and the unfortunately increasing division in our society," said the CDU politician, who is taking part in the celebrations for the Day of German Unity in Saarbrücken on Friday. "We must fight for our democracy, freedom and our values - and work every day for peaceful coexistence."
"We would like to thank the courageous people and civil rights activists who brought down the Wall on November 9, 1989 and thus made German reunification possible in the first place on October 3, 1990," said Wegner. This year, Saarland is organizing the celebrations for the Day of German Unity under the motto: "Future through Change". Wegner will take part in the ceremony in Saarbrücken on Friday morning, followed by a reception hosted by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
According to the Senate Chancellery, he will then meet the Berlin citizens' delegation, including volunteers who are involved in neighborhood assistance and technical relief work, among other things. In the late afternoon, he will visit the "Ländermeile", where Berlin will present itself as the capital of music.