2025 Octave Mass; Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu

2025 was a milestone year for Luxembourg, marked by several anniversaries linked to political transitions, European integration, wartime remembrance and community life (whether cultural, business or sporting). From the end of Grand Duke Henri’s reign to civil society celebrations, here are some of the key commemorations that shaped the year.

25th Anniversary and the End of Grand Duke Henri’s Reign

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg ascended the throne on 7 October 2000. At the time of writing, he was scheduled to abdicate on 3 October 2025, passing the role to his son, Guillaume. His silver jubilee marked both the culmination of a 25-year reign and a symbolic generational shift. National Day in June 2025 featured special celebrations, including the presentation of a short film titled The Story of a Reign: 25 Years of Service to Luxembourg at the official ceremony held at the Philharmonie in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.

40th Anniversary of the Schengen Agreement

On 14 June 1985, five countries - Belgium, France, (West) Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands - came together in the Luxembourgish village of Schengen to sign an agreement that laid the foundation for free movement across Europe. The Schengen Area now comprises 29 countries - 25 EU Member States plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. In mid-June 2025, Schengen hosted the 40th anniversary celebrations, which included an official dinner on board the renovated MS Princesse Marie-Astrid (renamed Prinzessin Marie-Astrid Europa) - the same vessel where the agreement was originally signed - and a ceremony with official speeches.

400th Anniversary of the Octave

Celebrations for the 400th anniversary of the Octave (Oktav) pilgrimage began in December 2024 and continued through May 2025. The Octave, celebrated in honour of Luxembourg’s patron saint, the Virgin Mary, is one of the main religious events of the year. As its name suggests, the Octave initially lasted eight days but is now spread over a fortnight between Easter and Pentecost. The jubilee celebrations kicked off on 8 December 2024 - exactly 400 years after Jesuit priest Father Jacques Brocquart and his students carried a statue of the Virgin Mary through the streets of Luxembourg City. It culminated in the Octave closing pontifical Mass and procession on 25 May 2025, also featuring a visiting Luxembourg-American group with its new processional banner.

80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge

Luxembourg hosted a series of commemorative events in late 2024 and early 2025 to mark 80 years since the Battle of the Bulge. On 16 December 1944, Germany launched a counter-offensive that would become one of the bloodiest battles of the Second World War. The fighting came to an end in January 1945 - although the town of Vianden was not liberated until February 1945. By then, many soldiers and civilians had lost their lives and much of northern Luxembourg (Éislek or the Luxembourgish Ardennes) lay in ruins. The 80th anniversary commemorations included official ceremonies and speeches, exhibitions, re-enactments and more.

40th Anniversary of the Irish Club of Luxembourg (ICL)

The Irish Club of Luxembourg (ICL) celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2025. A special event, organised together with the Embassy of Ireland, was scheduled for 18 October 2025 at the Abbaye de Neumünster (Neimënster) in Luxembourg-Grund. This evening of historical reflection was set to include exhibitions, informal talks and a performance by Irish musician Naomi Berrill. Earlier in the year, the ICL hosted a Black Tie Gala Dinner for St Patrick’s Day. Since its creation, the club has celebrated the Irish community in Luxembourg and helped foster integration into Luxembourgish society.

50th Anniversary of Telstar Scouts

Telstar International Scout Group Luxembourg celebrated its 50th anniversary with a barbecue event in Mersch on 15 June 2025. Telstar was formed on 1 November 1974, following the entry (in 1973) of the United Kingdom and Ireland into what would become the European Union. The name “Telstar” - inspired by two communications satellites launched in the 1960s - reflects the group’s mission of fostering international connections. Telstar joined the National Federation of Scouts and Guides of Luxembourg (Fédération Nationale des Eclaireurs et Eclaireuses du Luxembourg - FNEL) in 1985 and is now one of its largest groups, with almost 250 members, including leaders.

15th Anniversary of the Luxembourg Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (LPEA)

On 6 February 2025, the Luxembourg Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (LPEA) celebrated its fifteenth anniversary with an event at the Cercle Cité in Luxembourg-Ville. Created in 2010, LPEA is the representative body of private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) professionals in Luxembourg. Looking ahead, the association is focusing on attracting long-term investments to foster future growth within the ecosystem.

10th Anniversary of LUNEX University

In January 2025, Differdange-based LUNEX University of Applied Sciences released a video to commemorate its tenth anniversary. Since its foundation in 2015, LUNEX has become an internationally recognised hub for health, sport science and management education. The anniversary video showcases its key achievements and highlights its mission to both educate future leaders and perform research in health and sports. Throughout 2025, LUNEX planned to launch a series of testimonial videos from key players who have shaped its history.

25th Anniversary of the Centre des Arts Pluriels Ettelbruck (CAPE)

The Centre des Arts Pluriels Ettelbruck (CAPE) unveiled a diverse programme for its 2025/2026 season, which also celebrates the venue's 25th anniversary. As part of these celebrations, the “PAST PRESENT FUTURE” exhibition takes over the CAPE foyer from 27 September to 14 December 2025, retracing the centre’s history, highlighting its current key players and inviting collective reflection on its future. Opened in 2000, the CAPE is a multifaceted regional cultural centre putting on about 100 events per season.

(front, L-R): Grand Duke Henri, Archduchess Marie-Astrid of Austria; (on stage): Deputy PM Xavier Bettel with the other speakers; Credit: Chronicle.lu