Germany marks 25th anniversary of reunification

A massive three-day party for Germany's Unity Day is underway in Frankfurt, the capital of the state of Hesse. The festivities kicked off on Friday under the banner, "Overcoming Borders," and are expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people to the riverside city. Since 1990, the historic date has been a national public holiday.

Saturday's lineup began with an early ecumenical service at the Frankfurt Cathedral. Later in the day, an official anniversary ceremony was held in the city's Opera House, attended by some 1,300 guests, including Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Joachim Gauck. There were crowds waiting outside to shake hands and take selfies with the chancellor.

In his keynote speech at the ceremony, Gauck compared the task of reuniting Germany post-1990 to the current challenge of integrating record numbers of newly arrived refugees. "Like in 1990, a challenge awaits us that will keep future generations busy," he said.

Outside meanwhile, several hundred leftist protesters turned out to slam the celebrations. Holding placards that read, "Never again Germany" and "What you are celebrating is ostracism, poverty and partition," the demonstrators called for all borders to be torn down. They also criticized the government's plans to toughen asylum laws.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Frankfurt along the banks of the Main River on Saturday afternoon to soak up the sun and party atmosphere. Events are planned throughout the weekend, with concerts on two big stages, fireworks and an art installation on the river.

One of the highlights of the festivities will take place on Saturday evening, when 25 bridges - representing each year of unity - will be lit up during a light-music show on the Main. The state of Hesse is spending an estimated 3.5 million euros (3.9 million dollars) on the weekend celebrations.

Frankfurt residents Izabela Krynicka and Basti Czolnik pose in front of a replica of the Brandenburg Gate - a symbol of German unity - set up in Frankfurt as part of the Unity Day festivities.

Celebrations were also in full swing in Berlin, where tens of thousands of people partied in the street in front of the iconic Brandenburg Gate. While national celebrations for Unity Day are traditionally hosted by the state that holds the Bundesrat (Germany's upper house of parliament) chair - many other German cities held events of their own.