Christoph Schroeder from the European Parliament joined the Sam Steen Show on RTL Today Radio this morning to explain why the day matters and what’s planned across the Grand Duchy.
Europe Day takes place every year on May 9th, marking the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration in 1950, widely seen as the starting point of what would become the European Union.
“It was on the 9th of May that Robert Schuman made his declaration,” Schroeder explained. “His idea was to bring together the industries needed for war… and turn that into cooperation and trust between countries.”
That proposal, linking coal and steel production between former rivals like France and Germany, laid the foundation for a project built on peace and shared prosperity.
“It’s a nice day to reflect on how former enemies came together and created what we now have today,” he added.
Luxembourg remains the only EU country where May 9th is an official public holiday.
Celebrations begin on Saturday with an open day at the European Parliament building in Kirchberg.
Visitors can drop in between 10:00 and 18:00 to explore the institution, meet staff and learn more about how it works.
“You can come and discover what it’s like to work as a translator or interpreter, visit different services, and even speak directly to Members of the European Parliament,” Schroeder said.
There will also be activities for children, quizzes, conferences and a number of partner stands, alongside food trucks and outdoor events.
One of the highlights is the chance to visit the 16th floor of the Parliament building for a view over the European quarter, although this requires advance booking.
On Sunday, celebrations move to Wiltz, where a European festival will take place in the grounds of Wiltz Castle.
The event will feature a “European village” with stands from EU institutions and local organisations, offering insight into how European projects operate in Luxembourg.
“It’s a pleasant opportunity for families to come together, celebrate Europe and have a nice Sunday out,” Schroeder said.
There will also be an official ceremony, along with entertainment, food and activities throughout the day.
Both events are open to the public, with no registration required for general entry.
For more details, organisers recommend searching online for Europe Day 2026 in Luxembourg, where full programmes and booking information are available.
As Schroeder put it, the weekend offers “a chance to look back at how far we’ve come and reflect on where we want to go next.”
