The 12th German Senior Day was opened by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. In his speech, he expressed thanks and appreciation to the many senior citizens who work for others. The elders form "the backbone of the Volunteers ". Following the speech of the Federal President Steinmeier Franziska Giffey, Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, Karl-Josef Laumann, Minister for work, health and social affairs of the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen and Ullrich Sierau, Mayor of the city of Dortmund, addressed their greetings to the visitors.