National Day

History tells us that Luxembourg has been independent, with a dynasty of its own, for a relatively short period of time. In the XIXth century, Luxembourgers celebrated their national holiday on Kinnéksdag (King’s Day: the birthday of the Dutch king). The new country’s first real patriotic holiday was Groussherzoginsgebuertsdag (the Grand Duchess’s Birthday). Grand Duchess Charlotte who reigned from 1919 to 1964 was born on 23 January, but to take advantage of the better summer weather, her birthday celebrations were postponed by six months, to 23 June. After Grand Duke Jean ascended the throne, 23 June became the official national holiday.The festivities in the capital begin with a torch-lit parade past the palace, where the people gather to cheer the royal family. Thousands then attend the Freedefeier (fireworks) launched from the Adolphe bridge. Later, the capital gets into a party mood, with entertainment on every square: brass bands, musicians and ensembles of every kind, clowns, mime artists, fire-eaters, and every possible kind of street artist. The actual day starts with the Te Deum in honour of the House of Luxembourg, conducted with great pomp. The Domine salvum fac magnum ducem nostrum for four voices, in a new arrangement each year, is always a high point of the service. Afterwards the Grand Duke reviews a military parade on the Avenue de la Liberté. A gun salute, fired from Fort Thüngen (Dräi Eechelen), concludes the national celebrations. Every one of the country’s 118 townships organises some form of celebration. The local church sponsors a Te Deum, the mayor addresses the assembled citizenry in a patriotic speech, deserving members of local associations, brass bands and volunteer fire-fighting associations step forward to have a bright medal pinned to their proud chests. And then the representatives of the town’s political establishment, and its clubs and associations repair to a local restaurant for the banquet démocratique.                                  

(Sources: Text: Traditions and holidays, online publication, online publication:  http://www.eu2005.lu/en/savoir_lux/societe_tradition/tradition_fetes/index.php, as at 12/07/2007Pictures: All apart from the Fireowrks: http://www.monarchie.lu/fr/Galerie/Evenements/Fete_nationale_2007/index.php, as at 12/07/2007Fireworks: http://www.gouvernement.lu/salle_presse/actualite/2000/06/23fetenationale/index.html, as at 12/07/2007)