In the capital, one should not expect a military parade on the Avenue de la Liberté, and even less a fireworks display. Despite the easing of pandemic restrictions, national day is looking to be quiet.

The City of Luxembourg has not yet published the programme for the festivities on its website. But it is likely that it will be, as last year, subdued.

Esch-sur-Alzette, the country's second largest city, has opted for moderation. "There are no festivities on the programme," a spokesperson said. "The mayor Georges Mischo (CSV) will give a speech on 22  June at 7pm that can be watched on Esch.tv and on social networks."

It seems like a long time ago when the Hereditary Grand Duke and the Hereditary Grand Duchess came to Esch-sur-Alzette to celebrate national day with the population, local associations and the scouts. This year would have been an occasion to introduce Prince Charles to the people of Esch. Before the pandemic, the second largest city in the country used to be transformed into a festive and even more convivial place than usual. To find this atmosphere again, we will have to wait until 2022, provided that the health crisis has been overcome.

In the third city of the country, Differdange, the population will be able to enjoy the marching bands of the commune. After a Te Deum (Latin hymn) sung in church at 7pm, local bands will cross the town between 8pm and 10pm. In particular, the Harmonie municipale will walk the streets of Differdange, the Luxembourg Marching Band will enliven the streets of Oberkorn as well as the Fanfare of Niederkorn.

In Bettembourg, the municipality has decided not to organise any festivities "for lack of time", it explains. A ceremony will nevertheless take place in the presence of the local council.

A concert in Dudelange 

A few kilometers further on, things will be moving in Dudelange, on the side of the Opderschmelz cultural centre. On the eve of the national day, Dan Biancalana (LSAP), will open the festivities with a speech as mayor. Then, the national anthem and the European anthem will be played by the Harmonie municipale de Dudelange and the Harmonie Forge du Sud.

From 8.30pm, the group Echoes will entertain with a free concert playing songs of Pink Floyd. "We can accommodate 500 people for this concert with tables for one, two or four people. You only need to register in advance on the website of the Opderschmelz cultural centre. For the moment, there are still about 200 places available," the municipality said.

As a reminder, Luxembourg's national day has its origin in the celebration of the birthday of the Grand Duke. In 1961, it was decided to set the date of the "Groussherzogsgebuertsdag" (the birthday of the Grand Duke) on 23 June, even if the birthday of the current Grand Duke falls on another date. It is traditionally the biggest and most popular festival in the country with the Fakelzuch (torchlight procession) and a fireworks display.

This article was originally published in French on Paperjam and has been translated and edited for Delano.