German Unity Day 2019 celebrated in Islamabad to remember 30 years of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
ISLAMABAD – Hundreds of guests from all sectors of society gathered at the embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Islamabad to celebrate German Unity Day on October 3 in the garden of the German Ambassador’s residence.
The year 2019 is a very special occasion for Germany to celebrate its national day: this year on 9th November it is exactly 30 years ago that the Berlin Wall came down. Only one year later on 3rd October 1990, East and West Germany were formally reunified after being separated for 41 years. Since then, Germans finally live together in one country again.
In his speech, the German Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Bernhard Schlagheck, underlined that Germany owes a lot to its neighbours and partners who supported German reunification back in 1990.
He emphasized that it is thanks to these neighbours and partners that Germany today can play its role as a well-recognized member of the European Union and a respected partner in the international community.
He further expressed that during his tenure in Pakistan he would like to foster direct exchange and dialogue between the people of Pakistan and Germany in the political, economic and cultural spheres.
The chief guest of the evening, His Excellency Syed Ali Haider Zaidi,
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, congratulated Germany on its national day. Dignitaries and high officials from diplomatic, military, political, cultural, economic and humanitarian sectors attended the event.
The national anthems of both countries were performed by a choir of girls aged between 10 and 12 years from St. Mary’s School for Girls in Rawalpindi directed by choir master Martina Timpe.
Following the speeches of the Ambassador and the Chief Guest, the cake cutting ceremony took place. After the official program of the event the guests availed themselves of the opportunity to get a deeper insight into the historical background of the process of German reunification depicted in an exhibition about the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Moreover, stalls of several German organizations like GIZ, KfW and political foundations showcased Germany’s multifaceted engagement in Pakistan. In line with the German Embassy’s environmental protection campaign called #GREENit every guest received a pouch with seed balls and a plant as a farewell gift.
