Hanover Celebrates German Unity Day—with More Than 100 Free Concerts (September 30, 2014)

For the two-day community festival on October 2 and 3, held around the New City Hall and at Maschsee, numerous organizers have put together an exciting program. The “Ländermeile” (State Mile) invites visitors on a tour through all of Germany, and the host state is showcasing itself with over 60 exhibitors at the “Niedersachsenmeile” (Lower Saxony Mile). In the sports areas, guests can try out exciting sports; in the tents of the Bundestag, Bundesrat, and Federal Government, they can get a behind-the-scenes look at high-level politics; and on the “Blaulichtmeile,” they can take a peek behind the scenes at the police, fire department, Bundeswehr, and Federal Agency for Technical Relief. Fun and games await young festival-goers in the children’s area.

Free Concert Highlights

In addition, visitors to the German Unity Day festival can look forward to an exciting stage program featuring music, information, comedy, and entertainment. More than 100 free concerts are on the program! Media partners radio ffn, NDR, and Antenne Niedersachsen are bringing Jupiter Jones, Elaiza, Laith Al Deen, Marquess, and Gregor Meyle to the Maschsee. Many other performances—including those by local favorites such as Juliano Rossi and Carlotta Truman, as well as children’s stars like Rolf Zuckowski and Volker Rosin—round out the musical lineup, along with jazz, classical, and world music (e.g., behind the New City Hall). And there’s plenty of action on the lake, too: whether it’s wakeboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, or windsurfing—there’s something for everyone here. The festivities will conclude on October 3 at around 9:30 p.m. with a fireworks, light, and water show.

United in Diversity

The Lower Saxony State Chancellery is organizing the celebrations for German Unity Day. Around 500,000 guests are expected to attend.

Among those in attendance are German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Federal President Joachim Gauck, Bundestag President Norbert Lammert, and the host, Lower Saxony’s Minister-President and current President of the Bundesrat, Stephan Weil. “United in Diversity” is the theme of the festivities, which feature 147 exhibitors. Spanning approximately 300,000 square meters—from the New City Hall to the Rudolf-von-Bennigsen-Ufer—six festival areas invite visitors to experience, discover, and enjoy the event.

For anyone who would like to combine the celebrations with an overnight stay in Hanover, Hannover Marketing und Tourismus GmbH (HMTG) has put together the “German Unity Day in Hanover” experience package. This all-inclusive package is available at www.hannover-erlebnispakete.de. Further information about your stay in Hanover is available at www.hannover-tourismus.de and www.visit-hannover.com. There, visitors will also find numerous ideas for planning a long weekend featuring an exciting cultural program, shopping (October 5 is a Sunday when stores are open!), and the Unity Day celebration.

“We are very pleased that German Unity Day is taking place in the capital of Lower Saxony—and that all of Germany is watching Hannover. For guests from near and far, the celebrations are a wonderful opportunity to discover and experience the city in all its diversity,” says Hans Christian Nolte, managing director of HMTG.

For more information about German Unity Day, visit www.tag-der-deutschen-einheit.de.