Grand Duke Henri, speaking on 23 June 2023 at the Philharmonie;
Credit: SIP
On Sunday 23 June 2023, Luxembourg's national day, the formal proceedings commences with a ceremony at the Philharmonie in Luxembourg-Kirchberg at which a number of dignitaries addressed those in attendance as well as those watching and listening from their homes.
The Grand Duke addressed the nation and stated off by referencing the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy on 6 June, which was a "decisive moment that sounded the death knell for the Nazi regime. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers, including Luxembourgers, were ready to risk their lives for our freedom. Many of them did not return. They were willing to take this risk because a life without freedom is no life. Since then, we have been lucky to live in peace in Europe, until President Putin militarily attacked Ukraine. In this conflict, it is our fundamental values that are at stake, values that we have made sacred since the end of the Second World War: democracy, the rule of law and the integrity of our borders. That is why today we offer our full support to Ukraine. In other parts of the world too, these fundamental values are trampled on in the most abject manner, whether in the Middle East or in parts of Africa. And this always at the expense of civilian populations, subjected to unspeakable suffering."
He then went on to the election of a new European Parliament on 9 June, referencing the founders of the European Union pursuing a dream of peace and pointing out that the European Union "remains, today more than ever, the guarantor of our freedoms, our security and our prosperity".
He also referenced climate change, social and economic inequalities, and security - both internal and external; lauding Luxembourg's democracy and stating that the economy is showing signs of recovery and we are continuing to invest in innovation for sustainable growth and initiatives to prepare our younger generations.
In his address, Prime Minister Luc Frieden talked about the "National Day being a day of joy and gathering, a day of gratitude for being able to live in peace and freedom, here at home". He stressed that the nation is "much more than a constitution or a border on a map", that it has many facets; "unlike a country, a nation is not founded. It is forged... The history of Luxembourg was not written in advance. We, Luxembourgers, wrote it ourselves". He emphasised "social cohesion and this feeling of community".
He also addressed "this social cohesion exists between people of various nationalities. People from different origins and with diverse experiences. To different traditions and mother tongues. People who have adhered to our homeland and our common rules of life in society. This is the key to our peaceful coexistence, which we must maintain every day".
He then stated "Our national holiday is also an opportunity to refocus on the essentials. To put aside our differences of opinion, which we may sometimes have. And to remind us once again that we are stronger when we remain united and united."
