That leap over the border, over the line from Flensburg to Rickelsbüller Koog: almost every trip to Denmark takes us Germans to a longed-for destination.
Whether for a holiday in the dunes or to study at the major universities; to go sailing in the South Funen Archipelago or to a good job on the other side; whether to visit Copenhagen’s museums or Legoland in Billund; with Hans Christian Andersen tucked under your arm, or perhaps you prefer Søren Kierkegaard, looking forward to the feeling of hygge upon settling down in the elegantly designed reading chair – for many Germans, even the thought of our northern neighbour brings a smile to their face.
I have to admit that I, too, am a big fan of Denmark. And in the past 12 months my longing has increased. For today we can finally enjoy what the COVID 19 pandemic deprived us of one year ago when together we celebrate the centenary of the peaceful demarcation of the border between Germany and Denmark.
What a joy, what an honour to be able to speak to you here today!
The time of the referendums of 1920 was undoubtedly a time of mixed feelings. On the one hand, it held the promise of the end of war and destruction, of peaceful self-determination for the people. On the other hand, it brought with it separation and loss for many. And we must not forget that the promise of peace was abruptly broken 20 years later when we Germans invaded our Danish neighbours. It must be said that Germany was not always a good neighbour to Denmark.
Yes, anyone who sets off to look for clues along the German-Danish border will learn something both of the loftiest ambitions and of the deepest abysses of the 20th century. The level of co-existence and reconciliation along this line of border markers and crossings that has since been achieved represents the most valuable asset that our two countries have jointly brought forth, as Her Majesty once stated, and also challenges us as Europeans and human beings.
What happened mainly after 1945 on both sides of this border is no less than a small miracle. In the course of the years and decades, the dividing line that was drawn in 1920 became a strong band. Alongside the desire for independence, a sense of community evolved between minorities and majorities, between Danish Germans and German Danes.
This border, the history of which we are commemorating today, therefore also stands for the great privilege we Germans have today of calling our neighbours friends. Europe is our joint blessing, a Europe that is free and at peace, without barriers and border walls.
As Europeans we are jointly striving to find the right path – we are jointly striving to find a way to reconcile our values and global reality, for example, with regard to our external borders and our approach to displacement and migration. We are also striving to find the right answers in the fight against the COVID 19 pandemic. Particularly the restrictions in the border regions of our countries, particularly the great burden on families and commuters have shown how careful we must be in relations with our neighbours, how far we still have to go – in order to be better prepared for the next crisis.
Your Majesty, Prime Minister, the strength of the ties between two countries cannot be measured only by the number of state visits and joint remembrance ceremonies, but also and above all by the bond between the people on both sides of the border.
The strength of this bond between our two countries today was demonstrated not least during the German-Danish Cultural Year of Friendship – I hear that the major exhibition on Germany in the National Museum of Denmark was enjoyed by tens of thousands of people.
Today, when we Germans look back on the past 101 years as Denmark’s neighbour, we do so with humility and thanks, trusting in the friendship between our nations and looking with confidence towards a bright common future.
Thank you, Your Majesty, Prime Minister, for your invitation and your hospitality.