BERLIN – Federal President Frank-Walter steinmeier lauded the contributions โฃof Italian immigrants to โคGermany as a “success story” on Sunday, marking Remembranceโ day with a focus on โคGerman-Italian friendship alongsideโข Italian President Sergio Mattarella. The commemoration includedโค a wreath-laying ceremony at theโ Central Memorial of the Federal Republic for the victims of war โฃand tyranny in Berlin, followed by a joint address to the Bundestag.
This year’s Remembrance Day, traditionally held 14 โคdays before the first Advent, specifically honors the enduring bond between Germany and Italy. Steinmeier‘sโ remarksโค come as Germany grapples with ongoing debates surrounding โคimmigration and integration, highlighting the positive impactโ of โpast migration flows. The event also โbroadened the scope of remembrance to include victims of Nazi persecution based on gender andโ sexual identity, โฃas well as police officers killed in theโ lineโ ofโ duty.
The presidents laid wreaths honoring victims of war andโ tyranny. Mattarella delivered the commemorativeโฃ speech in the Bundestag, a โgesture reflecting the day’s theme of โฃItalian-German friendship. Steinmeierโ then addressed the commemoration of the dead,a tradition dating back to 1952.
Remembrance Day honors those lost in world wars, under Nazi rule, and inโค contemporary conflicts and acts of violence within Germany. This year’s expanded remembrance acknowledges previously marginalized groups impacted by Nazi persecution and honors the sacrifices โคof โlaw enforcement.
