Blog post - 03. Oct 2025

On 3 October 2025, citizens gathered at the Freedom and Unity Monument next to the Old Gasometer to celebrate the 35th anniversary of German reunification. The event was organised by the Alliance for Democracy and Tolerance in the Zwickau Region, which chose ‘Gratitude and Commitment’ as its motto.
From 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., the historic day was honoured with music, speeches and communal singing. Particularly moving were the personal words of Pastor Stefanie Hallmann (representing the Zwickau Ecumenical Community) and Volker Schneider, Managing Director of Stadtwerke Zwickau, who impressively illustrated with his life story that the terms ‘Wessi’ and ‘Ossi’ should no longer be dividing lines. City Councillor Wolfgang Wetzel and former Mayor Rainer Eichhorn also contributed to the dignified atmosphere with their welcoming speeches.
The Freedom and Unity Monument, designed by artist Erika Harbort, provided an authentic setting for this commemoration. At its heart is an original piece of the Berlin Wall, which the Alter Gasometer association received in 1989 from Rainer Eppelmann, the then GDR Minister for Disarmament. Since 2011, it has stood at its current location as a reminder of the Peaceful Revolution and the path to reunification – and a warning not to take freedom and unity for granted.
The atmosphere was one of great dignity and sincere reflection. Around 30 participants – representatives from politics, the church, civil society and the general public – stood in for all those who were grateful for the opportunity of reunification and at the same time see this historic event as an obligation to stand up for the values of freedom that have been achieved and to remember how precious and worth protecting our freedom and democracy are.
Since 1990, 3 October has been German Unity Day – Germany’s national holiday. It commemorates the official reunification of the country, which became possible after decades of division. The day stands not only for the success of the Peaceful Revolution of 1989, but also for the obligation to protect and pass on the values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Thirty-five years later, it remains a day of remembrance, of pause for reflection – and a mission for the future.