Battle of the Bulge Commemorative Ceremony Held at Schumann's Eck

On Tuesday 16 December 2025, a commemorative ceremony took place at the National Liberation Memorial at Schumann's Eck near Wiltz, marking the 81st anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge (Ardennes Offensive).

The Battle of the Bulge was one of the last major battles of the Second World War (WWII) on the European continent. It took place from December 1944 to January 1945, primarily in Belgium and Luxembourg (Ardennes region).

As every year, the ceremony was dedicated to the memory of all the victims of WWII, both civilian and military, and commemorated the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for freedom.

More than 100 invited guests attended the event, alongside members of the press (including Chronicle.lu). A heated tent provided shelter for seated guests during the ceremony, which ran from approximately 10:00 to 11:00.

Among those present were Luxembourg's Minister for Defence, Yuriko Backes, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture, Martine Hansen, and the Minister for Culture, Eric Thill, as well as MP André Bauler, several ambassadors accredited to Luxembourg and representatives of organisations including NATO, the National Museum of Military History (MNHM) and Spangdahlem Air Base.

The ceremony began with an introduction by master of ceremonies (MC) Charles Pauly, followed by official speeches (mainly in Luxembourgish and/or English), musical interludes and wreath-laying. Speakers included: Frank Rockenbrod, President of the National Liberation Memorial Asbl; Carole Weigel, Mayor of Wiltz; Maksym Dotsenko, Director General of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society; Stacey Feinberg, US Ambassador to Luxembourg; and Minister Yuriko Backes, speaking on behalf of the Luxembourg government.

In his address, Frank Rockenbrod paid tribute to the approximately 55 million victims of WWII worldwide and highlighted the "immense sacrifices" made by US, British, French and other Allied forces to liberate Europe. He stressed that freedom and peace should never be taken for granted and drew parallels between past conflicts and the ongoing war in Ukraine, underlining the fragility of humanitarian values in Europe today. He also shared a vivid description of the "bitter cold" Christmas fighting of 1944, evoking how soldiers, looking up at the same sky as their loved ones back home, may have seen the bright stars as a beacon of hope in the darkness. Today, he noted, stars continue to symbolise hope and shared values, such as those represented on the US and EU flags. He expressed the hope that this "constellation of friendship" and solidarity would endure. A moment of silence followed to mourn all victims of war and violence around the world.

The programme continued with a contribution by students from the Lycée du Nord in Wiltz, who are taking the "Passeurs de mémoire" (memory keepers) course. Through spoken texts and a short re-enactment of the experiences of the Melchior family at Schumann's Eck in December 1944, the students reflected on the realities of war and the responsibility of younger generations to preserve historical memory. They noted their commitment to stay informed and working together for a peaceful future - not least at a time when they are "increasingly confronted" with the idea of war. They also expressed their gratitude to those who fought for the peace they enjoy today.

Mayor Carole Weigel described Schumann's Eck as a place of remembrance with deep significance for Luxembourg's freedom and democracy. She noted that the Battle of the Bulge demonstrated how strong people can be when freedom and democracy are at risk. She stressed that remembrance remains a shared responsibility and is particularly important in times marked by renewed conflict. The mayor thanked the students for their commitment, describing young people as "an important bridge" between history and the future.

Following a musical interlude, Maksym Dotsenko of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society highlighted the relevance of the Battle of the Bulge in light of current events in Ukraine. "The echoes of history are very loud," he said, describing remembrance as both a reminder and a moral duty to learn from history so that its darkest moments are not repeated. He stressed the importance of international humanitarian law and recalled that the lessons of WWII led to stronger global protections for civilians in times of war. He also thanked Luxembourg and other partners for their continued support for Ukraine.

According to US Ambassador Stacey Feinberg, Schumann's Eck is "a quiet crossroad that carries the weight of history". She expressed appreciation for Luxembourg's continued commitment to remembrance and emphasised the vital role of young people as "the connection between the past and the future". Referring to the war in Ukraine, she noted that peace is fragile and must never be taken for granted, adding that the United States was "working very hard to secure real, lasting peace" in Ukraine.

Following another musical interlude by performers from the Wiltz music school, Minister Yuriko Backes thanked the students for their involvement and described Schumann's Eck as a "crossroad of histories and suffering but also of reconciliation". She highlighted the decisive role played by Allied forces, particularly US soldiers, during the Battle of the Bulge, stressing that Luxembourg would never forget their service and sacrifice. Addressing current geopolitical challenges, the minister emphasised the need for a "a strong and united Europe", stating that "Europe must be able to defend itself". She closed by calling for the memory of those who gave their lives to be honoured through a renewed commitment to freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

The ceremony concluded with the laying of wreaths by government ministers, MPs, ambassadors, mayors and representatives of remembrance organisations, followed by "La Sonnerie aux Morts", the American and Luxembourgish national anthems and closing words of thanks.