The Luxembourg Grand Duke’s Official Birthday is also known in French as Celebration publique de l’anniversaire du souverain. It is celebrated every year on 23rd June. An interesting aspect of this festival is that 23rd June is not the birthday of any ruler in Luxembourg. If a lady functions as the monarch the day is referred to as Grand Duchess’s Official Birthday.
Luxembourg Grand Duke’s Official Birthday Celebrations
The Luxembourg Grand Duke’s Official Birthday Celebrations are attended by close relatives of the present monarch Henri. In addition festivities are also attended by dignitaries like Queen Paola and King Albert of Belgium who are friends with the Luxembourg royalty. Several official ceremonies are held along with parades by members of the armed forces. There is a salute by 101 cannons, which really adds zing to the whole atmosphere.
Celebrations normally begin from the previous day, 22nd June. There are torchlight processions that light up the streets and begin from 10 pm onwards. Fireworks are an important part of celebrations and are especially prominent in Petrusse Valley.
A number of pop, folklore, rock and DJ concerts are held on the day – they jazz up the whole atmosphere and truly symbolize the festive spirit. Local bars stay open till dawn and serve to spruce up the evening for revelers.
Luxembourg Grand Duke’s Official Birthday History
The Luxembourg Grand Duke’s Official Birthday was originally not celebrated on 23rd June. When William I was the ruler the day was celebrated on 24th April, even though his actual birthday was on 25th August. Under the reign of William II the day was celebrated on 6th December, which is his actual date of birth.
This created a strange situation in 1840 when there were two grand ducal birthdays. Under the reign of William III 17th June was fixed as the date. This tradition continued till 1859 when the date was shifted to 19th February, which was two days after William III’s actual birthday.
After the orders of succession were separated the Luxembourgois and Dutch thrones split in 1890. The Nassau-Weilburg kings celebrated their official birthdays on actual dates. The day was declared a national holiday in 1947.
In 1961 there was a possibility that since the actual birthdays of reigning monarch Charlotte and heir apparent Jean was in January celebrations could be disturbed by poor weather. On 23rd December 1961 a grand ducal decree 23rd June was fixed as the date for celebrations.
Challenges facing Luxembourg
In recent years real economic growth of Luxembourg was hampered owing to the then global financial crisis. The decreasing equity prices have contributed to a decline in basic amount of assets that are held by investment funds. Commission fees have been affected as well.
Net inflows to investment funds have slowed down in recent years owing to alteration in investor sentiments. Employment opportunities in financial sector have been affected as well. Leading business houses have also been perturbed at the condition of this European country’s transportation, education, and problems within Luxembourg’s political set up.