Prime minister Xavier Bettel (DP) during his national day speech said Luxembourg would remember all those who died during the pandemic and think of their families Library photo: Romain Gamba/Maison Moderne

Prime minister Xavier Bettel (DP) during his national day speech said Luxembourg would remember all those who died during the pandemic and think of their families Library photo: Romain Gamba/Maison Moderne

On the eve of Luxembourg’s national day, prime minister Xavier Bettel (DP), remembered the lives lost during the pandemic and said the grand duchy should face the future with “determination, solidarity and optimism.”

Luxembourg on 22 and 23 June marked the first national day celebrations since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The street party and fireworks in Luxembourg City and elsewhere in the country are back on the eve of the annual holiday, as are the official ceremony, military parade and church Te Deum on national day.

“I am aware that the last years weren’t the easiest,” said Bettel. “We live in times of big uncertainties and challenges.”

Among those challenges he listed the coronavirus pandemic, the war in Ukraine--with its impact on inflation and cost of living--as well as climate change.

“National day is not only an occasion to celebrate but also to remember,” the premier said. “In the last two years we’ve had to say goodbye forever to many cherished people. Every victim is one too many. Today and tomorrow we there think of them and their families. And we say thank you to those people who have worked tirelessly for our health all this time and continue to do so.”

Speaking in French, he also thanked the thousands of cross-border workers who help uphold Luxembourg’s healthcare system and economy. “All Luxembourg residents as well as all our cross-border workers contribute to the Luxembourg success model.”

Bettel returned to Luxembourg for the national day celebrations from a . In his pre-recorded message, the prime minister said that the war in Ukraine “concerns us all”, adding that “the Ukrainian people fight every day for our values, which we hold high in national day--the values of freedom, liberty and independence.”

It is Luxembourg’s duty to help the people in Ukraine, the PM said. “The wave of solidarity with Ukrainian refugees overwhelmed me,” he added, thanking people who opened their doors for those fleeing from Ukraine, organising donations or otherwise helping out.

“Peace in Europe and defending our values has a price,” Bettel said, addressing inflation and the increase in prices. But amid this series of crises, climate change should not be forgotten, he warned.

“Our national day is a good opportunity to remember that us Luxembourgers have survived many tough times together. Always when our people held together, we emerged stronger from a crisis. Let us face our future together with determination, solidarity and optimism.”

Related articles