9 May - What to do in Luxembourg on Europe Day

Luxembourg is one of few European countries to actually celebrate Europe Day as a public holiday with 2019 marking the first time. Before that, the European Union set it as a public holiday for all their employees of the various EU institutions, but not for the individual countries since that is out of their power.

Considering the ongoing and unjustified Russian invasion in Ukraine, it is an important moment to reaffirm the European attachment to peace and to show unity and solidarity with the country and the Ukrainian citizens.

So let's start off with a very brief history of WHY we celebrate Europe Day.  

On 9 May 1950 Luxembourg-born Robert Schuman, then French foreign minister, presented the Schuman declaration, a plan he developed together with Jean Monnet. The idea behind the plan was to unite the German and French coal and steel productions under one authority and therefore keeping peace.

Europe Day quiz - test your knowledge of the union!

The cooperation was a success and more European countries were encouraged to join, with Luxembourg among the firsts.

The European Coal and Steel Community was formally established in 1951 by signing the Treaty of Paris, creating the foundations of the European Union we know today.

In case you want to know more about Robert Schuman and the beginnings of the EU, I recommend clicking here.

WHERE is it celebrated and HOW?

In the majority of European countries Europe Day is acknowledged but most often not celebrated in a special manner.

Only a handful of countries actually celebrate Europe Day as a national holiday and it was only in 2019 that it was declared a public holiday in Luxembourg.

Next to the Grand Duchy it is also a public holiday in Kosovo. While the events can differ from year to year, there are annual activities that anyone can participate in. They range from sports tournaments, to fairs, to concerts and are organized all over the country. It is interesting to note that the people and public servants of Kosovo celebrate this day even though they have not yet secured a membership in the EU.

In Romania Europe Day coincides with their own national holiday, the State Independence Day.

Germany celebrates Europe Day as a "flag day", where the flags are ordered to be shown by federal decree.

In Croatia and Lithuania Europe Day is legally-recognised but no public holiday.

And last but not least the EU institutions where the celebration first started. Every year the institutions open their doors in Belgium, France and Luxembourg to the people, allowing them to visit the places where lawmakers and politicians are making their decisions.

Due to the corona pandemic in 2020 and 2021 the events had to be hosted virtually.

This year the parliament in Strasbourg is opening their doors and Saturday 13 May from 10am to 6pm.

You can find more information here. 

Europe Day in Luxembourg

Here in Luxembourg citizens will be able to visit the European Court of Justice on Tuesday 9 May from 2pm to 6pm. You'll be able to book a guided tour or explore the buildings yourself. There you'll also be able to see the court's art collection representing Europe's artistic heritage. You can find additional information on their website.

But the place to be this year is at Place de l'Europe near the Mudam tram stop, where you'll be able to participate in the Europe Day festival. From 2pm to 3.30pm an official ceremony will be held with speeches by the Grand-Duke, the prime minister and other government officials. On site you'll find an European village with food trucks and a kids corner.

From 3.30pm onwards you can enjoy musical sets, first by the Ukrainian choir "Belle Bandura", then by DJ Nico Belier who won the LOA DJ contest and the final concert will be played by indie pop act TUYS. Get more detailed information here.

If you live further north festivities will also be held on 9 May in Wiltz and Bissen. In Wiltz from 10am to 5pm, you'll find activities for the whole family around the theme of water. The entrance is free and there will be catering on-site. In Bissen you'll be offered a tasting with specialities from different cultures all around Europe from 1pm to 8pm. The admission fee is 10€ for adults and 5€ from 12-18 year olds.

Wherever you are and whatever you decide to do, Happy Europe Day!

© European Commission