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German Unity Day in pics: protests, parties and Pegida

Nearly half a million people gathered in Dresden on Monday, most to celebrate the reunification of Germany in 1990 - and others to protest Chancellor Angela Merkel.

German Unity Day in pics: protests, parties and Pegida
Part of the show during Dresden's celebration of German Unity Day. Photo: DPA

Germany’s iconic city on the Elbe played host to this year’s national celebration marking 26 years since East and West Germany reunited at the end of the Cold War.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Joachim Gauck joined the some 450,000 people who gathered in the Saxon capital for music, fireworks and a light show.

While the motto of this year’s fest emphasized bringing people together – Brücken bauen, or building bridges – the three-day weekend was also marked by protesters from the left and right opposing one another.

Chancellor Merkel became the target of a demonstration by the anti-immigrant Pegida movement with protesters booing her as she arrived.

See for yourself what happened on German Unity Day this year.

“National Socialism is No Alternative” protestors face police in Dresden. Photo: DPA

 

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