After already congratulating Luxembourg's former Prime Minister on his nomination as President of the European Commission by the European Union's heads of government, Grand Duke Henri sent yet another congratulatory note to Jean-Claude Juncker now that he was actually elected President of the European Commission.
Monsieur le Président,
Dorénavant actée, votre élection à la présidence à la Commission européenne constitue une profonde satisfaction personnelle. Celle-ci est partagée par les Luxembourgeois qui mesurent a portée de l’engagement européen pour notre pays.
La Grande-Duchesse et moi-même formons des vœux de réussite dans l’accomplissement de votre haute mission: puissiez-vous avec votre collège rapprocher l’Union européenne de ses citoyens par des projets concrets et ambitieux et contribuer ainsi à faire l’aimer l’Europe.
Henri
Speaking of a "profound personal satisfaction" shared by the people of Luxembourg, the Grand Duke wished Mr Juncker all the best saying, "May you, together with your colleagues, bring together the European Union and its citizens, through concrete and ambitious project, and thereby contribute to make them love Europe." Jean-Claude Juncker is the third Luxembourgish President of the European Commission after Gaston Thorn (1981-1985) and Jacques Santer (1995-1999) showing the important role little Luxembourg, one of the six founding members of the European Coal and Steel Community, the EU's very first predecessor, plays in the European Union.
Was there yesterday, which happened to be the first day that the palace was open to visitors this summer. It retains the feeling of a family house (albeit a generously sized one) more than of a palace. Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte made some interesting changes to the lighting in partnership with artist Ingo Maurer. Time will tell if these additions will be a lasting representation of their period... or simply a passing fancy.
ReplyDeleteYou've probably answered this question already but have you been to tha palais? If so, how was the experience?
ReplyDeleteThat sounds really interesting about the lighting. Are you able to elaborate on it? I generally always wonder how today's changes that are made to palaces will be viewed by generations to come. At the same time, I like when changes are made. Royals 200 or 300 years ago rarely cared what their ancestors had done to the place and simply remodelled it to their own taste. It keeps a castle alive IMO.
ReplyDeleteMy apologies for the delay in responding. The changes in lighting, as I recall them, felt incongruous with the rest of the space. I'm not averse to incorporating modern elements into older structures and spaces... but this felt (to me at least) a bit forced... perhaps calling too much attention to itself. I prefer when lighting is used with subtlety to enhance a space and render it beautiful... but I'm sure that the former Grand Duchess saw things differently!
ReplyDelete