In a press release issued by Dudelange council for the unveiling, it is stated that the new logo is based "among other things on the view of Dudelange from the water tower. "

"Depending on the angle of view, the geometry of the city is reminiscent of a sun, whose rays spread out around a central point."

However, the new logo has drawn mixed reactions on social media. One criticism above all has become particularly common: The new logo is reminiscent of the Japanese military flag, the "Kyokujitsu-ki", and thus also of a dark chapter from World War II. Under this flag, the Japanese Imperial Army, allied with Nazi Germany, was responsible for numerous war crimes in the Asian region. The Japanese army, especially the navy, still uses the flag today, albeit in a slightly adapted form.

This criticism was echoed by the Dudelange branch of the DP, as they noted that neither the citizens of Dudelange nor the municipal council were involved in the decision on the new visual identity.

The Left and the Greens also criticised the lack of public input and transparency regarding the cost of the design. Luxembourg news outlets the Lëtzebuerger Wort and the Tageblatt reported the budget is said to have been around 37,000 euros. The Greens called upon the city aldermen to provide details about the composition and the process of creation at the next municipal council meeting.

The CSV added that it would have preferred more transparency regarding costs, but praised the inclusion of the sun rays in the logo.

Many Facebook users criticised the logo on the municipality's Facebook page, leading the page administrators to close the comment function. Dudelange mayor Dan Biancalana of the LSAP declined an interview with RTL to explain the logo on Friday.

On Thursday afternoon, the mayor and council responded to the numerous reactions that the logo has triggered in a Facebook post. All critical comments will be taken seriously and respected. The logo "emerged from a thorough reflection process, in which municipal employees were involved in a participatory process." In view of the criticism that the new logo resembles that of the Imperial Japanese Army, it is stated that "some representations do not correspond to the initial intention nor to the meaning behind the new logo . "