Rain Fails to Dampen US Independence Day Celebrations in Luxembourg

On Tuesday 2 July 2024, the US Embassy in Luxembourg hosted a reception to celebrate Independence Day which falls annually on 4 July.

Around 300 invited guests attended the reception which was held mainly on the lawn outside the Ambassador's residence, with a large marquee tent providing shelter from the weather which was inclement at times.

Amongst the guests were Luxembourg government ministers, including the Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, and the Finance Minister, Gilles Roth. The President of the Chamber of Deputes, Luxembourg's parliament, Claude Wiseler, was also in attendance, as were the ambassadors of various countries including Ireland, Poland, China and Japan, and Luxembourg City councillors including Maurice Bauer, the Deputy Mayor. Representatives from the economic and cultural sectors and civil society were also invited.

After the US Ambassador to Luxembourg, Tom Barrett, and his wife plus senior members of the embassy's staff had welcomed each and every guest individually, Michael Konstantino, Deputy Chief of Mission, welcomed everyone in both English and French and referenced the US Congress signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776, 248 years ago.

Following the presentation of the colours by the US Marine Guards stationed in Luxembourg, the eleven-strong Luxembourg city choir sang both the Luxembourgish and American national anthems.

Ambassador Barrett then greeted everyone with a rousing "Moien" and joked about it being "a lovely day in the neighbourhood", a reference to the day's rain. He thanked the guests, the choir and Marines, fellow members of the diplomatic corps, plus the sponsors, before mentioning the theme of a series of posters displayed in the embassy gardens, "Trailblazers and Pioneers".

He mentioned that, in the late 1800s, thousands of Luxembourgers left for the US, to states including Idaho, Wisconsin and others.

He continued by talking about 2024 being the 80th liberation of Luxembourg in WWII by American forces, and that Luxembourg and America later became pioneers again, this time for peace, with the foundation of NATO in 1949. One week from today, he said that leaders will meet for the 76th anniversary of NATO in Washington DC. He then referenced Russia's "brutal invasion" of Ukraine and he talked about all actions taken to try to destabilise democracy; in this context, he thanked Luxembourg for taking steps to increase defence spending to 2% of GDP.

He also mentioned pride month, and a former US Ambassador to Luxembourg from 1999-2001, James C. Hormel, whom he described as a pioneer for gay rights and equality.

He concluded by addressing the Fulbright student grant programme for studying abroad, including Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, who was a Fulbright scholar in the US.

After the formal part of the evening, the reception continued with drinks and finger food including mini cheeseburgers, macaroni cheese, hot dogs and soft tacos.