State occasions
![Federal President Dr Köhler at the lectern decorated with the federal eagle The German flag hangs in the background. View of the audience from the rear Federal President Dr Köhler at the lectern decorated with the federal eagle The German flag hangs in the background. View of the audience from the rear](/SharedDocs/bilder/Webs/PI/EN/state-occasions/staatsakt-60-jahre-brd.jpg;jsessionid=FE186E4E0C3EB1AF63C911A53ABDB791.live882?__blob=wide&v=4)
Source: Federal Press Office
Just as individuals use ceremonies or festivities to set meaningful, important and noteworthy events apart from from everyday life, the state uses state occasions and state ceremonies to mark events of national, societal and/or political significance.