On 23 May, we celebrated the anniversary of our Basic Law. It has served as our guarantor of freedom, democracy and the rule of law for 77 years.

This year, we turned Constitution Day into Ehrentag and celebrated the values of our Basic Law over a period of two weeks. Not by proclaiming a bank holiday, taking a trip out to the countryside or relaxing at home on the sofa, but as a nationwide day to get involved with several thousand projects in which people north and south, east and west rolled up their sleeves together and got to work to help their neighbours and their community – for us as a society, for our country as a whole.

The level of energy, community spirit and dedication involved in each and every project was something I was happily able to see for myself: whether sorting donations of clothing, repairing clubhouses, sports grounds and pathways or tidying up neighbourhood gardens and nature reserves – there were countless examples of volunteers being there for those who need help.

Ehrentag made plain just how valuable voluntary engagement is for us as a community. And it made us realise just how much getting involved enriches our lives and builds cohesion. In every sense true to the Ehrentag motto For you. For us. For everyone.

When we get involved and together create something positive, we also strengthen our democracy’s immune system – and uphold what has made us strong.

As we mark the anniversary of our Basic Law, I can think of nothing more fitting than celebrating it as actively and vibrantly as we did on Ehrentag all across our country. And if I might voice a wish, then it is that Ehrentag can continue, inspiring and motivating even more people to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank all who supported Ehrentag and got involved!