This year's preparations for the Luxembourgish National Day celebrations are in full flow, with a number of changes taking place due to the ongoing construction works throughout Luxembourg City. These were detailed by representatives at a press conference on Thursday.
The traditional torch procession usually passes over the old bridge, Pont Adolphe, but given this is currently undergoing construction to make it wider, it will be closed to pedestrians from 8pm.
Some 2,000 people are expected to join the torch procession, which covers a stretch of 1.2km and will head down Rue Origer before ending in near the train station, for safety reasons, said Laurent Schwaller of the city council.
Preparations for the torch procession will begin at 8pm at the Roude Petz, before it departs at 8.30pm, followed by a concert in its place.
The customary firework display will begin as usual at 11pm and is set to last 17 minutes, with live music from the military band. There will be other musical performances across the city, with two new stages at Place des Bains and on Rue Aldringen.
The police advise all visitors to exercise the usual caution= report any suspicious activity as soon as possible, take care of handbags and other belongings, and it is advised not to use pushchairs if possible.
Patrick Even from the police said that a further 160 officers would be deployed alongside the usual numbers. In terms of mobility, buses and trams will run throughout, and most car parks in the city would be open, aside from the Place Guillaume II and Saint-Esprit, which close every Saturday from 7pm to 2am. On Sunday, the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge will be closed from 10am onwards, barring access to Kirchberg.
