Her Excellency Sylvie Lucas, Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Washington DC (USA), hosted a memorable Christmas Gala on Friday 16 December 2016; guests included some who had family connections with Luxembourg.

With brief eloquence, H.E. Ambassador Lucas extended the warmth that has become so familiar to the friends of Luxembourg in Washington. Friends of Luxembourg were also enthusiastic about the arrival of H.E. Ambassador Lucas to Washington and admired her diplomatic work.

Year after year, the Embassy Series, organised with the helping hands of the Luxembourg Embassy staff, turns the beautiful reception room into a mini-Bethlehem. The Thomas Circle Choir, led by James Kreger, presented the beautiful melodies which the guests enjoyed and joined in singing – “we wish you a Merry Christmas” and “Jingle Bells,” to name a few. The Embassy Series, which seeks to unite people through musical diplomacy, presented Adrienne Haan and one of Washington's most "sought after pianists", Howard Breitbart. From the moment Adrienne Haan stepped in the room, it was on fire.

Of course, Johnny Cash was not in the room but his spirit was smiling from the beautiful ceiling in the historic building in the Dupont Circle neighbourhood along Massachusetts Avenue in Washington. “Love is a burning thing. And, it makes a fiery ring.” While Adrienne Haan, who is very proud of her Luxembourg heritage, did not sing Johnny Cash’s lyrics, those words were beating inside the hearts of the audience upon whom she had cast a magic spell; Brietbart was her partner in crime with his masterful strokes on the piano.

With surgical precision, the singer knew which nerve to touch, when and whom to call upon. Oh, poor Francisco, it was hard to resist for him and so also for the rest of the audience. The standing ovations, the smiles and clapping were a measure of an evening of success.

Sharing her own personal history with the audience, Adrienne said: “Many of you here tonight know that I, the daughter of a German and a Luxembourger, was brought up in a Germanic and Francophile environment. Which means that my family loved all sorts of music from all sorts of cultures and passed that particular gene on to me. So, from classical to chanson, from jazz to blues, from German to French, from Italian to American pop. I like to mix it all up.”

When asked about her perspective, Adrienne said after the show “It has been an amazing experience because I think combining diplomacy and music is such an important factor, especially in times like these. All my shows are somewhat political, historical, and I sing in at least 5 languages. Therefore I believe that my particular soirées fit so very well into the series. I also think it is a great idea to hire artists from around the world and have them perform in the Embassy of their native country and bring their culture to the United States via music. I mean, what an amazing idea! Jerome Barry has created something very important and very unique that needs to continue for generations to come.”

The distinguished guests included Ambassador Schuwer from the Netherlands, as well as Ambassador Harald Braun, Germany's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Vice President of the 71st General Assembly, who was visiting DC for UN-related meetings. Ambassador Braun, who spoke to Mrs. Anne L. Howard-Tristani, niece of former U.S. Vice-President and Senator Hubert H. Humphrey, stated that he was great fan of Adrienne Haan's performances in New York City and also enjoyed classical music. Also attending Friday's performance was the distinguished Ambassador of Iceland, His Excellency Geir H. Haarde, former Prime Minister of Iceland, and his wife.  Ambassador Haarde was also a resident at the International Students House in Washington, where one of the recent residents was from Luxembourg and interned at the Embassy.

Gary H. and Anne Baise - he was the first Chief of Staff to the first U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator - and Susan Pearce, a retired aerospace executive with experience on NASA projects, were also in attendance along with the Deputy Chief of Mission Veronique Dockendorf and the Consul, Mr. Stan Myck (and Mrs. Myck).

Local businessman and philanthropist Earl Stafford, who serves on the Board of the National Symphony, attended the concert with a group of friends. Stafford, who spoke with Anne Howard-Tristani, expressed how much he enjoyed the outstanding French Cabaret performance of Adrienne Haan and Howard Breitbart as well as the Christmas carols of the D.C. Thomas Circle Singers.

The Embassy Series expressed deep gratitude to H.E. Ambassador Lucas for her support and it acknowledged Ms. Elisabeth Herndler, Social Secretary – Cultural Affairs, Embassy of Luxembourg - for helping organise the concert which was held again on Saturday 17 December 2016.

Photos by Morris Simon