Performing and Constructing

Ethnological perspectives on the symbolic transformation of Berlin

Authors

• Beate Binder

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37447/bk.130558

Keywords:

national holiday, symbolism, performance, transformation

Abstract

On 3rd October 2002, the youngest German national holiday was celebrated in Berlin: the day of German unity. This newly established national holiday (having begun in 1991) is meant to commemorate the reunification of Germany which took place on 3rd October 1990. A state-ceremony took place in the opera house and a street was held at the Pariser Platz and around the Brandenburg Gate. The most important symbolic center of the re-unified city turned into the grounds for a huge open-air festival. Like every year, German counties were encouraged to present their regional or local specialties, in the first place food and drink, such as fish from Hamburg, Hessian apple wine, Bavarian white sausages and so on, and to show folk dances, music or other "traditions" from their "home" countries. Dancing companies, cabaret, music or folklore groups presented their programs during the day on a huge stage which was put up for this occasion. The Ministries and the government had information desks and gave informative materials and gadgets to punters. A parade took place in the afternoon, which was also meant to present "Germany's feast" as a celebration of the re-unification and to show the richness and diversity of Germany's regions: folklore groups, groups wearing traditional costumes, and some brass bands walked along the alley Unter den Linden and showed the richness of German regional "heritage."