Civic festivals in Berlin and Bonn
Germany celebrates itself – State ceremony for the Basic Law
23.05.2024, 08:28
Federal President Steinmeier praises the Basic Law as the basis for coexistence. On the 75th anniversary of its entry into force, the head of state ordered a state act. Eastern Commissioner Schneider reminds us that reunification is an inseparable part of today.
With a state ceremony between the Reichstag building and the Chancellery, the leaders of state and society in Berlin are celebrating the entry into force of the Basic Law 75 years ago. May 23, 1949 also marks the founding date of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Peaceful Revolution in the GDR, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, should also be remembered. It ultimately led to the Basic Law, which initially only applied to West Germany, becoming the constitution for all of Germany.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who ordered the state ceremony, will give the central speech. “This Basic Law is the basis for freedom, democracy and law to determine coexistence in our state,” writes Steinmeier on his websiteIn his view, the Constitution has proven itself to be stable and adaptable over the past 75 years and has overcome numerous crises and challenges.
Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann would like to see more appreciation for the constitution and democracy in Germany. “You don’t have to like everything that happens in our country,” the FDP politician told the “Rheinische Post”. “But our constitution as a political framework has ensured the most free and prosperous state we have ever had.” He recommends that those who question democracy take a look at the world: “They wouldn’t be able to live better in any authoritarian state.”
Carsten Schneider, the representative for the East, expressed similar views. The constitution regulates coexistence in Germany through values such as humanity, fairness, diversity and solidarity. “That’s why we can’t celebrate it enough,” said the SPD politician. The people of the GDR fought for these values and freedoms themselves in the peaceful revolution. “That’s why 35 years of the Peaceful Revolution and 75 years of the Basic Law, which had German unity as a national goal, are inseparably linked.”
Citizens’ festivals in Berlin and Bonn
The ceremony (12 noon) will be attended by the heads of the five constitutional bodies, among others. In addition to the Federal President, these include the Presidents of the Bundestag, Bundesrat and Federal Constitutional Court – Bärbel Bas, Manuela Schwesig and Stephan Harbarth – as well as Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The state ceremony will be preceded by an ecumenical service (10 a.m.) with the participation of several religions in St. Mary’s Church. The police are making a great effort to secure the ceremony, which is expected to attract 1,100 guests. Around 1,000 officers are on duty for security and traffic control.
After the state ceremony, citizens will also have the opportunity to celebrate their constitution. There will be a democracy festival in Berlin’s government district from Friday to Sunday, and on Saturday also in the old Bonn government district, where Steinmeier is opening his official residence, the Villa Hammerschmidt.
The Basic Law was created after the military governors of the Western powers had commissioned the eleven prime ministers of the West German states to convene a “constituent assembly” on July 1, 1948. Important preparatory work was carried out by the Constitutional Convention on the island of Herrenchiemsee in August 1948. From September 1, 1948, the Parliamentary Council in Bonn drafted the Basic Law, which was passed on May 8, 1949, and announced on May 23 by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Council, Konrad Adenauer.