Mödlareuth: Unity celebration attracts 2,000 visitors to the border area

Mödlareuth: Unity celebration attracts 2,000 visitors to the border area

In Mödlareuth, known as the divided village, German Unity Day was celebrated in a special way. Around 2,000 visitors flocked to the place where the Wall once separated Germany on the holiday to experience the historical events surrounding the division of Germany up close. The German-German Museum in the region attracts crowds not only because of its original barriers and watchtowers, but also because of a variety of special exhibitions that bring the events of the past to life.

The museum director, Robert Lebegern, explained in an interview that the topic of German division and subsequent reunification remains of great interest. With a focus on various exhibits, the aim is to reach a broad audience. The exhibitions about personalities such as Wolf Biermann, a prominent GDR songwriter, also receive particular attention.

Political stage in the divided village

But the event in Mödlareuth is not just a journey back in time. It is also a platform for various political parties who use the day to present their positions. This year, Bavaria's Interior Minister Herrmann was invited as the keynote speaker at the CSU and CDU Germany Festival. At the same time, the AfD gave speeches, including a contribution from René Aust, a prominent politician in the party.

The Greens, the SPD and the Volt Party were also there with information stands to communicate their concerns. However, there were controversies beforehand, particularly with the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB). The DGB had planned a “Festival of Democracy”, but it was canceled due to an unsuitable location assigned by the district office. The meadow that the DGB originally wanted to use in the center of the village was instead assigned to the AfD, which led to tensions and discussions about the distribution of space.

The distribution of the rooms was confirmed by an administrative court in Gera, which did not make the already difficult preparations any easier. The conflict illustrates how deep the political divides in this region still run and how emotions surrounding German history are still charged today.

Visitors to the celebrations were not only able to explore the historical relevance of the place, but also experience the current political challenges that Mödlareuth connects with history. The combination of historical culture and contemporary political commitment gives the Day of German Unity in Mödlareuth a special meaning.

In addition, the Greiz branch office of the Federal Authority for Stasi Records offered an important service: those interested had the opportunity to view their Stasi files or obtain information about whether a file had even been created on their person. This represents a valuable contribution to coming to terms with the past and shows the great public interest in the issues from back then - issues that are still relevant today.