On Saturday 9 December 2023, it was Christmas time and jingle bells were ringing, with children eager to meet their beloved "Saint Nick" at the Luxembourg Embassy on Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, DC.
This was a special event as the invitation came from the desk of Kleeschen (Saint Nick) himself. It read: "Dear Luxembourgers and Friends of Luxembourg, As per Kleeschen's (St. Nick's) instructions, Ambassador Nicole Bintner-Bakshian would like to extend the below invitation to you. The Embassy Team hopes that you will be able to attend and support us in celebrating this occasion with the children that will be present."
The children in attendance on Saturday were very excited, with the condition being that parents were "well behaved". They were...
The children's patience was rewarded as the Kleeschen made a stop at the Embassy on his way across the ocean to Luxembourg, with a bag full of gifts, chocolate treats and, of course, the traditional Boxemännchen, the Luxembourgish pastry to celebrate the event. The children had prepared songs to welcome their special guest.
Children of all ages wait all year long for this special occasion. Ambassador Nicole Bintner-Bakshian extended a personal warm welcome to the children and the guests; Deputy Chief of Mission Gilles Bauer assisted her in greeting the guests.
The event was a team effort in which everyone contributed to the success of this gathering. Saint Nick (Kleeschen) convinced the children that he knew whether they were naughty or nice. With a red book in hand, as the Kleeschen, he conversed in various languages with the children, who enjoyed his charming demeanour. He was assisted by an angel who handed gifts to the children.
Elisabeth Herndler, Social Secretary and Assistant to Ambassador Bintner-Bakshian, helped organise this special gathering, which included a delicious child-friendly dinner menu.
The special guests included Ambassador David McKean, who served as US Ambassador to Luxembourg (2016-17), and Lenora W. Rowell, whose late husband Edward Morgan Rowell also served as US Ambassador to Luxembourg (1990-94).
After spending time with the children and their parents, the Kleeschen left to continue his journey to make some more children happy. Everyone was now looking forward to his return next year.
