For the third time, Yuriko Backes, Luxembourg’s Minister for Mobility, joined several members of her ministry in a public singalong at Place de l’Europe – an initiative inspired by a visit to Denmark.
During a trip to Copenhagen a few months ago, Backes observed staff at the Danish Ministry of Transport singing together outside their offices. The gathering reflected the Danish tradition of ‘Fællessang’, in which people come together to sing collectively. Widely embedded in Danish culture, the practice is common in schools, at social events, and even in the workplace, where it is seen as a way of strengthening social cohesion and fostering a sense of community.
Backes later proposed introducing the idea in Luxembourg during a New Year’s reception, suggesting it to fellow ministers Serge Wilmes and Claude Meisch, whose ministries for the Environment and Housing share the same building as the Ministry for Mobility.
This Thursday’s gathering marked the third such event, with staff assembling for around fifteen minutes to sing three songs in English, German and French. The repertoire included YMCA by the Village People, Alexandrie, Alexandra by Claude François, and Atemlos durch die Nacht by Helene Fischer.
Backes described the initiative as a positive way to spend time together before the working day begins in earnest.
