This year’s celebration was focused on the theme “Only with you” (Nur mit euch). Berlin was honored, among other things, as a Federal Capital, marked by a white stone in history, written by committed actors from all sides and at all levels, summarized in a film: “Milestones on the path to German unity”.
Other facets of Berlin were also highlighted through movies starring three actors representing the faces of society, and in turn the faces of Berlin.
The messages of the Mayor of Berlin, no less President of the Senate (Council of the Länder), emphasized the need to go beyond East-West unity, namely to work hard for the unity of all Germans, for social unity, for inclusiveness, for all those who live and visit Berlin to feel at home, at peace, in a “vivre-ensemble” and in a “joie-de-vivre”.
The President of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag) stressed that the majority governs but the minority is protected by law. Moreover, all stakeholders must work constantly to ensure unity and inclusiveness, never take anything for granted.
The ceremony was cradled by classical musical interludes, music being a strong symbol of Berlin, not to mention the voices of the excluded and vulnerable, carried among the chandeliers of domes and palaces. Tributes were paid to the social actors, following the example of Bahnhof Mission and the collection at the end of the Ecumenical festive services was meant in favor of their actions. In the Bebelplatz, at the end of the speeches at the Staatsoper, the national anthem was sung by citizens uniting their voices for a united Germany, Europe and the World.