It was a difficult birth: the founding of the hyphenated state of Rhineland-Palatinate, which was initially unloved by many citizens.

The basis for merging the regions, which until then had been very differently aligned, into a new whole was decree number 57 issued by the French military government in August 1946. Almost nine months later, on May 18, 1947, a corresponding state constitution was actually adopted and the first state parliament elected.

The hour of birth 75 years ago was commemorated on Wednesday with a ceremony in the Staatstheater Mainz.

And because the Rhineland-Palatinate people, who have grown together quite well, are considered a "little people who love to party", the anniversary can be celebrated extensively from Friday to Sunday in the center of Mainz by everyone who wants to drop by.

For the 36th Rhineland-Palatinate Day,

For which the organizers are expecting up to 300,000 guests when the weather is nice, according to the city and state, five large stages will be set up, twelve action areas will be prepared and a good 330 stands will be placed in the city.

They are intended to offer customers en passant either food and drink or information about the development of the region along the Rhine, which used to be often reviled as the "land of beets and vines".

Markus Schug

Correspondent Rhein-Main-Süd.

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Nowadays people advertise themselves with completely different attributes: Rhineland-Palatinate still stands for rich forests, agriculture and viticulture.

However, hiking holidays are now very popular, and local products are in high demand.

In addition, the wine spritzer has long since become a trademark – not only, but especially in Mainz and Rheinhessen.

More precisely, the more than four million people who live between Koblenz, Kaiserslautern, Mainz and Trier no longer live on the outskirts of Germany, but in the heart of Europe - with good relations to their neighbors in France, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Hub, transit area and trade route

And in the corona pandemic, the breathtaking rise of the successful Mainz-based vaccine developer Biontech has shown that the scientific landscape is also impressive.

"Our citizens with all their ideas, talents and visions are our treasure," said Prime Minister Malu Dreyer (SPD) at the ceremony.

“The best ideas come from this diversity.

Innovation emerges from the combination of the tried and tested and daring curiosity.”

In a similar way, the writer Carl Zuckmayer, born in 1896 in Nackenheim near Mainz, had his main character, General Harras, rave about the Rhine as the great mill and wine press of Europe in “Des Teufels General”.

The region, shaped by the river and constant change, has repeatedly proved to be a hub, transit area and trade route for various peoples over the course of an eventful history.

Talk rounds and a foolish program

Diversity is still a "particular strength of the country," said the Prime Minister, who expressed her gratitude for 75 years of peace in front of a good 500 listeners - including her predecessors Kurt Beck (SPD) and Bernhard Vogel (CDU).

Which is not a matter of course, as one currently has to experience, said Dreyer.

"On our anniversary, our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine."

According to Mayor Michael Ebling (SPD), the city of Mainz, which is hosting a Rhineland-Palatinate Day for the third time, wants to present itself as cosmopolitan, cheerful and cordial.

Under the motto "Mainz - Come with us into the future", visitors to the three-day folk festival will be presented, above all on the cathedral squares, which have been temporarily renamed "Mainz-Plätze".

On the state stage at Schillerplatz, in front of which there is space for up to 5000 spectators in a fenced and controlled area, there should be many talk shows, but also a thoroughly foolish programme.

The Rose Monday procession, which was canceled in February due to Corona, cannot simply be made up for in May.

For the Sunday, which will also be open for sale, at least a small parade is planned from 1 p.m.

Further information on the Internet at www.rlp-tag.de.