Credit: Elza Osmane, Chronicle.lu
On Sunday 10 May 2026, on the occasion of 9 May’s Europe Day, Wiltz Castle hosted a programme of festivities gathering more than 4,000 people, who came together to participate in celebrations aimed at highlighting European values.
The event followed celebrations organised on Saturday by the European Parliament (EP) Liaison Office, underlining the history and legacy of Robert Schuman and his connection to Luxembourg.
Luxembourg remains the only country in the European Union (EU) to recognise Europe Day as an official public holiday. First introduced in 2019, the public holiday commemorates the 1950 Schuman Declaration.
Organised by the European Commission Representation in Luxembourg, in collaboration with the EP, the Luxembourg government and the City of Wiltz, the interactive programme continued on Sunday in an outdoor setting offering cultural and musical performances, in the presence of Grand Duke Guillaume and other distinguished guests.
On the day, visitors had the chance to discover Wiltz and become familiar with the regional offerings of the Éislek, experience local traditions such as regional beer brewing or join a guided walk organised by the Naturpark to explore the surrounding nature and heritage.
The event also featured dozens of tents representing European institutions, organisations and member countries. Visitors could meet representatives from institutions including the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Public Prosecutor's Office, the Court of Justice of the EU and the European Free Trade Association. The stands offered interactive games, multilingual activities, information leaflets and educational materials designed to help visitors better understand the work of European institutions, organisations and programmes in Luxembourg.
The public could also explore tents featuring activities, culinary specialities, crafts and cultural displays. This year, the focus centred on everyday Europe in rural areas and across the region.
Speaking to Chronicle.lu, representatives at the Translating for Europe stand explained that the main goal of their participation was to raise awareness about “multilingualism and the importance of communication between European cultures and languages”. The tent offered language guessing games, memory games for children, bookmarks and information about multilingual digital platforms, translation resources and traineeship opportunities within the European institutions.
Families and children could also enjoy a dedicated activity area with face painting, colouring workshops, interactive games and educational activities. Participation in all activities remained free of charge throughout the event.
Chronicle.lu also caught up with Head of Representation in Luxembourg for the European Commission Anne Calteux shortly before her speech to the public. She started by recalling the significance of the Schuman Declaration. “Together, they reaffirmed their deep commitment to a European project that unites citizens, supports economic prosperity and social progress, and builds a new defence architecture that strengthens our security and strategic autonomy,” she said.
Asked about the choice of organising the celebrations in Wiltz this year, she explained that the event aimed to bring Europe closer to rural areas and communities in the north of Luxembourg. She noted that last year’s celebrations took place in Echternach, while plans for next year’s location have not yet been announced.
To mark the choice of Wiltz as this year’s celebration venue, visitors could also admire a large-scale graffiti artwork by Daniel Mac Lloyd, Luxembourg-based urban contemporary artist. The mural was painted especially for the event as part of the "Citizen Street Art - Graffiti Day," linked to the "Hei & an Europa doheem" campaign and it will remain in place after the celebrations.
(L-R) Rebecca Watts, Tracy Uwadiae, Marie-Alice Benard, Ilenia Chezzi, representatives in Luxembourg for the European Commission
