"In the face of so many challenges, it is now about standing together and working together," said Protestant Bishop Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt in an ecumenical service at the start of the central celebrations in Schwerin Cathedral.
The Archbishop of Berlin, Heiner Koch, said that the coexistence of people from different backgrounds was a great opportunity, but also an enormous challenge. It is important to "respect others in their differences".
Unity does not only mean the unity of the state and the federal states, but also the unity of differently characterised people: Young and old, healthy and sick, poor and rich, migrants and those who have grown up in Germany.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern holds the presidency of the Bundesrat this year and is therefore hosting the traditional ceremony to mark the Day of German Unity on 3 October.
Entitled "Setting sail united", the service reflected the motto of this year's German Unity Day and Schwerin's location between seven lakes.
The ceremony was also attended by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Bundestag President Bärbel Bas, Bundesrat President Manuela Schwesig and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (all SPD) as well as numerous minister presidents, federal ministers and other public figures.
Remembrance of the Peaceful Revolution
Kühnbaum-Schmidt recalled the perseverance of the Peaceful Revolution 35 years ago: "One demonstration was not enough to bring about great change." Time and again, people stood up for democracy and human rights. Many of them had not just been active in 1989, but for years and decades.
"Despite defamation, threats, reprisals and persecution, they did not give up," said the bishop. Cooperation and collaboration are still important today - in contrast to "hate speech and populist antagonism".
Koch also pleaded in favour of social cooperation and compared the country to a boat. "Which direction should our boat take, where should the right sails lead us?" A common goal and common values could only be found if Germany formed a "learning community".
The archbishop called for a willingness to engage in dialogue and compromise. This was the only way to move forward effectively. The following must apply: "We leave no one behind, not even the weakest."
Schwerin Cathedral is part of the Schwerin Residence Ensemble, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on 27 July 2024.
The service was organised by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany (Nordkirche), the archdioceses of Berlin and Hamburg and the Association of Christian Churches (ACK).