© RTL
Amid National Day celebrations in Esch-sur-Alzette, locals shared a profound sense of pride and identity, emphasising Luxembourg's unique blend of small-town charm, multicultural openness, and European connectedness.
With National Day celebrations in full swing in Esch-sur-Alzette on Saturday, our colleagues at RTL Infos spoke with passers-by to get a better understanding of their pride in belonging to this "tiny country".
While Grand Duke Henri and his wife, Maria Teresa, visited the municipality of Kehlen on Saturday afternoon before launching the festivities in the capital, the heir apparent couple, Guillaume and Stéphanie, were guests in the country's second-largest municipality. Unlike the municipality of Differdange, which canceled its National Day parade due to bad weather, Esch-sur-Alzette celebrated the Grand Duke's birthday with great pomp.
As the long procession paraded down Rue de l'Alzette, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume made his way around Place de l'Hôtel de Ville. Our colleagues at RTL Infos sought to uncover what contributes to the sense of 'Luxembourgishness'. The responses they received depict a deep-seated pride, recognition, and awareness of a small nation firmly rooted in Europe, characterised by a strong spirit of openness towards others.
To be Luxembourger in 2024 embodies a sense of uniqueness and belonging, as expressed by locals reflecting on their identity. "It's something very special, mostly because we're not that many", remarks Tom with a smile. Indeed, to be from Luxembourg is to be reminded that one belongs to a "very small country", a peculiar feeling in itself, as states Maryse.
With a population of just over 672,000 at the start of the year, being Luxembourgish also signifies a sense of stability and security, as highlighted by Anna, a Portuguese national who has obtained Luxembourgish citizenship. "It means to have a secure life, a future, and the ability to offer the same to our children", she shares. Marianne, who participated in the local festivities, underscored that being from Luxembourg provides the opportunity "for a decent life", supported by the State.
To be Luxembourgish also means to "have the chance to live in a very multicultural country. It's something we see everyday", observes Roselene. Yannick, standing by her side, believes it means "to be open-minded and tolerant towards other nationalities". Joanne, for her part, uses only one word that perfectly describes the situation: "Diversity."
62-year-old Maryse noted that being from Luxembourg means "being proud to be in the heart of Europe and having extensive contact with other countries". According to her being both Luxembourgish and European means having the ability to be "friends with everyone".
In contrast, Magali, an 18-year-old of Argentinian descent who recently took on Luxembourgish citizenship, approaches the concept of nationality differently. She believes that there is "no fixed definition of 'being Luxembourger' or any other nationality. It's more about fitting in with people." For her, "sharing a culture, meeting new people, and learning different languages all contribute to feeling connected to a place."
What does being Luxembourgish mean to you? Let us know in the comments!
