Democracy Festival to be held in Berlin’s government district over the weekend

To mark the 75th anniversary of Germany’s de facto constitution, the Basic Law, the Berlin government invites citizens to a grand Democracy Festival, which will take place around the buildings housing the Chancellery and the Bundestag.

From Friday to Sunday, events are planned in the form of dialogue, information stands, games, concerts, plays, dance, sport and the opportunity to meet celebrities in the center of the government district.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has already organized a state ceremony for Thursday to mark the anniversary of the Basic Law, where he intends to give the main speech.

The area cordoned off for the festivities includes the Chancellery, parts of the parliament or Bundestag, buildings and the nearby Tipi am Kanzleramt theater.

The heads of constitutional bodies are expected to be available to answer questions from the public in public dialogues.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz intends to enter into dialogue with interested parties twice, on Friday and Sunday.

In addition to several government ministers, both houses of parliament – the Bundestag and the Bundesrat – the Presidential Office and the Federal Constitutional Court, all 16 federal states and many social organizations will be represented at the festival, the deputy government spokeswoman said. , Christiane Hoffmann, in Berlin. on Tuesday.

“The French president is also expected to be a special guest on Sunday,” Hoffmann said, adding that Emmanuel Macron will visit the democracy festival that day with Steinmeier during his state visit to Germany, which runs from Sunday until May 28.

Visitors should sign up for dialogue events in advance or spontaneously on site, Hoffmann said. This is not necessary for other program items.

Performing artists include the band Die Fantastischen Vier (Fantastic Four), Eurovision winner Lena Meyer-Landrut and singer Vanessa Mai.

A comprehensive security plan is in place to prevent outages, Hoffmann said.

There will be bag checks at the access points to the site, she said, adding that larger items, suitcases and glass bottles cannot be brought in.

For events like this, which include people receiving police protection, there will be access checks like at an airport, Hoffmann said.

No tickets are required for the festival of democracy.