The Pierre Werner Institute will have a new director starting in January, as Sonia da Silva takes over the role from the long-serving Olivier Frank.

Sonia da Silva, the current Head of Communications at the National Museum of Archaeology, History and Art (MNAHA), has been appointed as the new director of the Pierre Werner Institute. She will succeed Olivier Frank, who is stepping down after leading the institute for 14 years. Her tenure is set to begin in January.

In a press release, the institute's administrative board expressed its gratitude to the outgoing director, Olivier Frank, for his expertise and service. Henri Grethen will remain in his post as chairman of the board.

Prior to her role at MNAHA, da Silva spent many years working as a journalist at St Paul.

The Pierre Werner Institute, a European cultural centre based in Neumünster Abbey, was founded in 2003 through a joint initiative of the German, French, and Luxembourgish governments.

The centre continues the spirit of the "Cercle de Colpach," a series of post-World War I gatherings between German and French intellectuals. These meetings were hosted by the industrialist and philanthropist couple Emile and Aline Mayrisch at their home in Colpach.

The institute is named after Pierre Werner, a prominent Luxembourgish politician from the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) who served as Prime Minister for two terms, from 1959 to 1974 and again from 1979 to 1984.