By Gunnar Schupelius
The Day of German Unity lacks shine. There is a lot to celebrate that we can be proud of since 1945 and 1990, says Gunnar Schupelius.
German Unity Day gives us a long weekend this year. That’s why Bridge Day (October 2nd) is celebrated more than October 3rd itself. Those who can afford it go on a short vacation.
October 3rd is what other countries call a “national holiday,” but that term alone is difficult for us to use. While the Americans look at their country and its history with pride and wave their national flags on July 4th, the French on July 14th and the Poles on November 11th (to name just a few examples), we do not.
We have a small citizens’ festival, held in turn in the federal states, this year Hamburg is the host. But no feelings arise, October 3rd is not a day for hearts. There would be reason for all of us to celebrate: 33 years of democracy, law and freedom in Germany, in the West even 78 (!) years.
Despite all the problems and restrictions, we live in the best Germany that has ever existed, no one can deny that. The first dictatorship was overcome in 1945 and the second in 1989. This is what the colors black, red and gold stand for. They stand for the republic, for self-determination and human rights, not for nationalism. However, anyone who hoists the national flag at their house or in the allotment is considered suspicious.
When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 and again during the 2006 World Cup, we achieved a relaxed relationship with black, red and gold. But then the alienated and hostile attitude towards the national symbols, which, as I said, are symbols of democracy, spread again.
The past has been dealt with. We know that from 1933 to 1945 our country was responsible for the greatest crimes in European history. At the same time, we can be proud of the history that followed and also of the time before, when Germany was one of the leading cultural and scientific countries in the world. A large part of the inventions on which human civilization is based today were made in Germany.
The self-confidence that arises from this consideration is crucial for our relationship with others: If we want to integrate foreigners, which is what we always talk about, there must first be something that we are. Only then can you bring others in.
We need the identity that comes from our history and our culture. If we constantly deny them or denigrate them, then we are left with nothing. Then we become moral apostles, teachers of the world.
But if we celebrate our achievements with joy, just as Americans, French and Poles celebrate theirs, if we are proud of so many years of democracy and the rule of law, then we can confront other cultures with confidence and in a relaxed manner, then we can win other people over to our culture.
October 3rd is more than a day off from work and it deserves more than a staid citizens’ festival in Hamburg.
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