On Friday 23 June 2017, H.E. Ambassador Sylvie Lucas and Embassy staff welcomed fellow diplomats, people of Luxembourgish heritage and friends of Luxembourg to celebrate the National Day in Washington DC.

In her brief remarks, Ambassador Lucas provided a historical background for the special relationship between Luxemourg and the United States – a friendship cherished on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. She described Luxembourg’s role in the founding of the European Union and the importance attached to the EU.

To facilitate singing of the Luxembourg national anthem, Deputy Chief of Mission Véronique Dockendorf and staff handed out a copy with English translation. This made it easier and everyone in attendance joined with vigour and enthusiasm to sing the national anthems of Luxembourg and the United States.

The embassy staff had gone to a lot of trouble and were eager to entertain the friends of Luxembourg while providing information about the Grand Duchy, including serving delicious hors d'oeuvres. They made available an informative flyer about the Luxembourg Embassy in Washington. Under the caption, “A historical house,” the leaflet states “Luxembourg and the United States share a common history that goes beyond 1903 when we officially established diplomatic relations.” The reader learns about some important historical background about the building “lodged in a Louis XV limestone and brick manor build in the early 20th century... During her stay in North America (in exile), Grand Duchess Charlotte purchased the mansion from the Stewart family and her mother Grand Duchess Maria Anna resided in it until her death in 1942.”

With pictures of the beautiful rooms and accompanying text, the reader learns that the “Luxembourg Embassy has been at the heart of many of the developments that took place in the bilateral relationship... Among the highlights are the State visits paid by HRH Grand Duchess Charlotte in 1963 and HRH Grand Duke Jean in 1984.” Also, on 14 September 2004, sixty years after the liberation of Luxembourg, HRH Grand Duke Henri laid a wreath at the World War II Memorial in Washington to mark Luxembourg’s remembrance and gratitude.

Valuable information about the renovations to the building during 2002-2004 communicates the level of effort that went into the planning and execution of this important project “transforming it into a harmonious fusion of American tradition and contemporary art of the Grand Duchy.” Two Luxembourg artists, Jean-Marie Biwer and Tina Gillen were invited to work on the design and renovation of this historical building built by the late Congressman Alexander Stewart of Wisconsin. The emphasis of the renovation was to brighten the atmosphere of the mansion while preserving the remarkable woodwork.

An iconic picture of the US President John F. Kennedy with Grand Duchess Charlotte in the leaflet and also in the building is a reminder of the close bilateral relationship which is expressed in the closing sentence of the document: “Luxembourg deeply cherishes the common history and culture, the common values and our longstanding cooperation with the United States of America.”

Sincere words of friendship were put into action by Ambassador Lucas, Deputy Chief of Mission Véronique Dockendorf, Counsul Stan Myck, assisted by Social Secretary Elisabeth Herndler and Victoria Vieru as well as the entire embassy staff. Feelings of mutual respect and expressions of joy radiated from the friendly faces of enthusiastic guests who filled the beautiful embassy building.

Photo by C. Naseer Ahmad